The Kogi State former governor Yahata Bello has told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he was not guilty of the new 19-count charges that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) levelled against him.
In the new charges, the immediate past governor is accused of money laundering to the tune of N80 billion by the EFCC.
Bello’s trial is one of the high-profile cases being pursued by the EFCC. The commission has accused Bello, along with two others, of spending over N110 billion of public funds to acquire several properties in Abuja and Dubai. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The EFCC’s handling of Bello’s case has been subject to scrutiny, with some observers arguing that the commission has been selective in its prosecution of corruption cases. Others have pointed out that the EFCC has a history of losing high-profile cases due to poor preparation and shabby presentation.
As the trial continues, many are watching to see how the EFCC will prosecute the case and whether Bello will be found guilty or not. The outcome of the trial will likely have significant implications for the EFCC’s credibility and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Source: Henzodaily.ng