Abuja, Feb. 8, 2022 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned one Ali Bello, a nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
Bello was arraigned alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and Rashida Bello (at large) on 18-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00.
Wilson Uwujaren, the Spokesperson for the EFCC, gave the details in a statement in Abuja.
Count one of the charges preferred against the accused persons were in contravention of Sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
Count three of the charges, on the other hand, was in contravention of Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act”.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, the Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.
The Defence Counsel, Ahmed Raji, however, prayed the court to grant his clients bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until Feb.13, 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre pending the determination of the bail application. (GBN)
