The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has amended its charge against Alli Bello, the Chief of Staff to Usman Ododo, the current Governor of Kogi State, to include allegations involving former Governor Yahaya Bello.
In the 17-count amended charge filed by the EFCC, Yahaya Bello, who served as Kogi State Governor from January 27, 2016, to January 27, 2024, was named alongside Alli Bello and one Daudu Suleiman.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants diverted approximately N100 billion belonging to the state government in September 2015, four months before Yahaya Bello assumed office as governor.
Although Yahaya Bello is not a defendant in the suit, his lawyer, A.M. Aliyu, represented him in court. Aliyu objected to the reading of the charge, citing the EFCC’s failure to comply with Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, regarding the service of the amended charges.
However, Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC’s lawyer, urged the court to reject the defendant’s arguments, stating that the court had endorsed the amendment of the charge.
In his ruling, presiding judge Kolawole Omotoso agreed that he had granted accelerated hearing in the matter and ordered that objections be kept in abeyance until the final address stage. The judge directed the court registrar to read the amended charges.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts in the amended charge.
The first count alleges that the defendants conspired with former Governor Yahaya Bello in September 2015 to convert N80,246,470,089 belonging to the state government for personal use.
Additionally, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleiman are accused of concealing several millions of naira with a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator in Abuja.
Bello’s lawyer requested the recall of one of the EFCC witnesses, Edward Fanada, for fresh cross-examination in light of the amended charges. The request was granted by Justice Omotoso.
The judge admitted Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman to bail conditions previously granted in the previous charges and adjourned the case till March 20 and March 21 for trial.
