Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of fraud and money laundering amounting to N110.4 billion. He is standing trial alongside two other defendants, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, who have also pleaded not guilty.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concerns about Bello's history of skipping court appearances and has denied him bail. As a result, the trial will proceed with the EFCC presenting its first witness.
The charges against Bello and his co-defendants are serious and will be thoroughly examined during the trial. The court will carefully consider the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense before making a verdict.
The trial is ongoing, and the public is eagerly awaiting the outcome. The case has sparked significant interest, and many are watching closely to see how the legal proceedings unfold.