The Federal Government has filed a new 16-count charge against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. The charges, brought before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, accuse Bello of criminal breach of trust involving ₦110.4 billion. These actions are in violation of Sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 89 of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and are punishable under Section 312.
Bello is facing these charges alongside two Kogi State government officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha. The defendants are accused of using state funds to purchase properties in exclusive areas of the FCT and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Here’s a breakdown of the charges:
- Count One: Bello, Oricha, and Hudu allegedly conspired in 2016 to commit criminal breach of trust involving ₦110.4 billion.
- Count Two: In 2023, they allegedly used ₦950 million to purchase a property on Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja.
- Count Three: The trio is accused of using ₦100 million in 2021 to acquire a property in Gwarimpa District, Abuja.
- Count Four: They allegedly used ₦920 million in 2020 for a property on Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
- Count Five: The defendants allegedly spent ₦170 million in 2022 on a property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
- Count Six: In 2018, they allegedly used ₦100 million to purchase a property in Guzape District, Abuja.
- Count Seven: The group is accused of using ₦100 million in 2020 for a property on Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.
- Count Eight: They allegedly spent ₦66 million in 2020 to acquire a property on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.
- Count Nine: The defendants allegedly used ₦550 million in 2020 to purchase a property in Maitama District, Abuja.
- Count Ten: They allegedly spent ₦650 million in 2021 to acquire a property in Wuse 2, Abuja.
- Count Eleven: In 2022, they allegedly used 5,698,888 dirhams to acquire a property in the Burj Khalifa area of Dubai, UAE.
- Count Twelve: The defendants allegedly used ₦60 million in 2016 to purchase a property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
- Count Thirteen: In 2017, they allegedly spent ₦310 million to renovate a property in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
- Count Fourteen: The trio allegedly transferred $570,330 to a TD Bank account in the U.S. in 2021.
- Count Fifteen: They allegedly sent $556,265 to the same TD Bank account in 2021.
- Count Sixteen: Bello alone is accused of unlawfully receiving ₦677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solutions Limited between 2017 and 2018.
These charges stem from an alleged misuse of public funds and breach of trust during Bello's tenure as governor.
