The Federal Government has filed a new 16-count charge against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing him of criminal breach of trust amounting to N110.4 billion. The case was filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, with the charges based on Sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
Bello, along with two Kogi State officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha, is alleged to have used state funds to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai.
Key Charges
- Count One: The trio allegedly conspired to commit a criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion in 2016.
- Count Two: In 2023, the defendants allegedly used N950 million to purchase a property on Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja.
- Count Three: They allegedly used N100 million in 2021 to acquire a property in Gwarimpa District, Abuja.
- Count Four: The defendants reportedly used N920 million in 2020 to purchase a property on Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
- Count Five: In 2022, N170 million was allegedly spent on acquiring property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
- Count Six: In 2018, they reportedly used N100 million to purchase a property in Guzape District, Abuja.
- Count Seven: N100 million was allegedly spent in 2020 on a property on Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.
- Count Eight: The trio is accused of using N66 million in 2020 to purchase property on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
- Count Nine: N550 million was allegedly used in 2020 to acquire a property in Maitama District, Abuja.
- Count Ten: N650 million was reportedly spent on property acquisition in Wuse 2, Abuja, in 2021.
- Count Eleven: They allegedly used 5,698,888 Dirhams in 2022 to acquire property in Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE.
- Count Twelve: N60 million was allegedly used in 2016 to purchase property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
- Count Thirteen: N310.4 million was allegedly used to renovate property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, in 2017.
- Count Fourteen & Fifteen: The defendants are accused of sending a total of $1.1 million to a TD Bank account in the USA in 2021.
- Count Sixteen: Bello alone is accused of unlawfully obtaining N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solutions Limited between 2017 and 2018.
The case adds to the legal battles faced by Yahaya Bello as the Federal Government intensifies its crackdown on corruption. The accused persons are expected to face trial after investigations are concluded.
