Reason118

Arraigned

Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello

Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, an accountant from Okene LGA, Kogi State, served as Governor of Kogi State for two consecutive terms from 27 January 2016 to 27 January 2024 on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, having won a controversial supplementary election following the death of APC candidate Abubakar Audu mid-poll in November 2015. He handed over to his hand-picked successor and former Chief of Staff, Usman Ododo, on 27 January 2024. Almost immediately after his immunity lapsed, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved against him. On 9 March 2024 the EFCC filed a 19-count charge at the Federal High Court Abuja (suit FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024) before Justice Emeka Nwite, alleging money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of N80,246,470,088.88 of Kogi State funds; co-defendants Ali Bello (his nephew/cousin and former Kogi Chief of Staff), Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu were charged alongside. On 17 April 2024 EFCC operatives laid a seven-hour siege to Bello's residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, while armed personnel attached to the residence prevented entry; in the early afternoon his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, arrived in convoy and, according to the EFCC's contemporaneous statement, breached the security cordon and 'whisked' Bello away in his own vehicle, leveraging the sitting governor's constitutional immunity. The EFCC declared Bello wanted on 18 April 2024. A roughly five-month standoff followed during which Bello relied on a Kogi State High Court (Lokoja Division) injunction of 9 February 2024 restraining EFCC from arresting or prosecuting him pending the determination of a fundamental-rights enforcement action — an injunction the Court of Appeal in August 2024 effectively neutralised by ordering Bello to appear for arraignment, and quashing the Kogi contempt summons against EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede. On 18 September 2024 EFCC operatives stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in a second attempted arrest, again unsuccessfully. On 26 November 2024 Bello presented himself in Ododo's company at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja and was placed in EFCC custody (the EFCC characterised the event as an arrest rather than a voluntary surrender). On 27 November 2024 he was arraigned at the FCT High Court Maitama before Justice Maryanne Anenih, alongside co-defendants Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, on a separate 16-count charge filed under suit FCT/HC/CR/778/24 alleging criminal breach of trust of N110,446,470,089 (contrary to sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, punishable under section 312); he pleaded not guilty. Justice Anenih initially declined bail as prematurely filed and remanded him in Kuje Correctional Centre; bail of N500 million with three sureties was granted on 19 December 2024. On 13 December 2024 he was separately arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja in the N80.2 billion suit, pleaded not guilty, and was admitted to N500 million bail with two sureties (who must own Abuja property), surrender of his international passport, and movement restrictions. The EFCC's case at trial alleges that state funds were converted through multiple bank accounts and shell entities (including Forza Oil and Gas, Alyeshua Solutions Services and Unnati General Trading LLC of the UAE) and used to (i) pay advance school fees of $760,910.84 to American International School Abuja under a pre-paid agreement dated 23 August 2021 covering Bello's children including a pre-school child through to 2034/35, signed on the family side by his nephew Ali Bello; (ii) acquire a Dubai property valued at over 5 million Dirhams in the Burj Khalifa neighbourhood and a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja for N950 million; and (iii) acquire further high-value properties subsequently subject to interim forfeiture orders restored by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on 6 August 2025. Bello has consistently denied the allegations through counsel led by Adeola Adedipe (SAN), arguing that EFCC's actions violated subsisting court orders, that his client was not properly served, and that the prosecution's evidence (particularly testimony that Bello himself was not named in the school-fee transactions, per the 14th prosecution witness in October 2025) does not link him personally to the impugned payments. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede publicly committed in 2024 to resign if Bello were not prosecuted; he later stated in January 2026 that he had 'done his work' and the case remained in court. As of May 2026 trial in both prosecutions is ongoing; in the Anenih court six witnesses had testified by the 9 October 2025 adjournment to 12 November 2025; in the Nwite court prosecution witnesses including the AISA internal auditor Nicholas Okehone had given evidence on the advance-school-fee payments. No conviction has been entered in either case. In May 2026, despite both prosecutions, Bello won the APC primary for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat.

Sources

SOURCE-01Premium Times (2024-11-26) — Corruption Trial: Yahaya Bello spends first night in EFCC custody: Premium Times (2024-11-26) — Corruption Trial: Yahaya Bello spends first night in EFCC custodywww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/757267-corruption-trial-yahaya-bello-spends-first-night-in-efcc-custody-arrives-court-for-arraignment.html
SOURCE-02Premium Times (2024-12-10) — Court denies Yahaya Bello bail, transfers ex-governor from EFCC custody to prison: Premium Times (2024-12-10) — Court denies Yahaya Bello bail, transfers ex-governor from EFCC custody to prisonwww.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/760363-updated-court-denies-yahaya-bello-bail-transfers-ex-governor-from-efcc-custody-to-prison.html
SOURCE-03Premium Times (2024-04-17) — EFCC lays hours-long siege to ex-Governor Bello's Abuja residence: Premium Times (2024-04-17) — EFCC lays hours-long siege to ex-Governor Bello's Abuja residencewww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/686877-updated-efcc-lays-hours-long-siege-to-ex-governor-bello-s-abuja-residence.html
SOURCE-04Premium Times (2026-03-13) — How $760,000 school fees were paid in advance for Yahaya Bello's children - Witness: Premium Times (2026-03-13) — How $760,000 school fees were paid in advance for Yahaya Bello's children - Witnesswww.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/863699-how-760000-school-fees-were-paid-in-advance-for-yahaya-bellos-children-witness.html
SOURCE-05Premium Times — Facing EFCC trial, ex-Gov Yahaya Bello wins APC senatorial primary (May 2026): Premium Times — Facing EFCC trial, ex-Gov Yahaya Bello wins APC senatorial primary (May 2026)www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/880906-facing-efcc-trial-ex-gov-yahaya-bello-wins-apc-senatorial-primary.html
SOURCE-06Premium Times — Appeal Court restores EFCC's interim forfeiture order on Yahaya Bello's properties (Aug 2025): Premium Times — Appeal Court restores EFCC's interim forfeiture order on Yahaya Bello's properties (Aug 2025)www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/812458-appeal-court-restores-efccs-interim-forfeiture-order-on-yahaya-bellos-properties.html
SOURCE-07TheCable (2024-11-26) — Yahaya Bello finally in EFCC custody: TheCable (2024-11-26) — Yahaya Bello finally in EFCC custodywww.thecable.ng/yahaya-bello-now-in-efcc-custody/
SOURCE-08TheCable (2024-11-26) — Ododo surrenders Yahaya Bello to EFCC: TheCable (2024-11-26) — Ododo surrenders Yahaya Bello to EFCCwww.thecable.ng/breaking-ododo-surrenders-yahaya-bello-to-efcc/
SOURCE-09TheCable — Yahaya Bello not named in fee transactions for his children, EFCC witness tells court: TheCable — Yahaya Bello not named in fee transactions for his children, EFCC witness tells courtwww.thecable.ng/yahaya-bello-not-named-in-fee-transactions-for-his-children-efcc-witness-tells-court/
SOURCE-10Channels TV (2024-04-17) — EFCC Operatives Lay Siege To Yahaya Bello's Residence: Channels TV (2024-04-17) — EFCC Operatives Lay Siege To Yahaya Bello's Residencewww.channelstv.com/2024/04/17/just-in-efcc-operatives-lay-siege-to-yahaya-bellos-residence/
SOURCE-11Channels TV (2024-04-17) — Yahaya Bello Whisked Away By Governor Ododo, Says EFCC: Channels TV (2024-04-17) — Yahaya Bello Whisked Away By Governor Ododo, Says EFCCwww.channelstv.com/2024/04/17/yahaya-bello-whisked-away-by-governor-ododo-says-efcc/
SOURCE-12Channels TV (2024-12-13) — Alleged N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty: Channels TV (2024-12-13) — Alleged N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guiltywww.channelstv.com/2024/12/13/alleged-%E2%82%A680bn-fraud-yahaya-bello-pleads-not-guilty/
SOURCE-13Channels TV (2024-12-13) — Alleged N80bn Fraud: Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail: Channels TV (2024-12-13) — Alleged N80bn Fraud: Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bailwww.channelstv.com/2024/12/13/alleged-%E2%82%A680bn-fraud-court-grants-yahaya-bello-%E2%82%A6500m-bail/
SOURCE-14Channels TV (2024-12-19) — FCT High Court Admits Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello To N500m Bail: Channels TV (2024-12-19) — FCT High Court Admits Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello To N500m Bailwww.channelstv.com/2024/12/19/fct-high-court-admits-ex-gov-yahaya-bello-to-n500m-bail/
SOURCE-15SaharaReporters (2024-04-17) — How Kogi Governor Ododo Breached Security Cordon Around Yahaya Bello's Abuja House: SaharaReporters (2024-04-17) — How Kogi Governor Ododo Breached Security Cordon Around Yahaya Bello's Abuja Housesaharareporters.com/2024/04/17/alleged-n802bn-fraud-how-kogi-governor-ododo-breached-security-cordon-around-yahaya
SOURCE-16SaharaReporters (2024-04-23) — Court Orders EFCC To Serve Charge On Fleeing Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello On Lawyer (FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 cited): SaharaReporters (2024-04-23) — Court Orders EFCC To Serve Charge On Fleeing Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello On Lawyer (FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 cited)saharareporters.com/2024/04/23/n80billion-fraud-court-orders-efcc-serve-charge-fleeing-ex-governor-yahaya-bello-lawyer
SOURCE-17SaharaReporters (2024-04-26) — N80.2Billion Fraud: How Kogi Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Paid School Fees Of Pre-School Child At American International School Abuja Till 2035: SaharaReporters (2024-04-26) — N80.2Billion Fraud: How Kogi Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Paid School Fees Of Pre-School Child At American International School Abuja Till 2035saharareporters.com/2024/04/26/n802billion-fraud-how-kogi-ex-gov-yahaya-bello-paid-school-fees-pre-school-child
SOURCE-18SaharaReporters (2025-01-23) — Kogi Governor Ododo And Yahaya Bello Visit FCT Minister Wike: SaharaReporters (2025-01-23) — Kogi Governor Ododo And Yahaya Bello Visit FCT Minister Wikesaharareporters.com/2025/01/23/kogi-governor-ododo-and-yahaya-bello-once-declared-wanted-efcc-visit-fct-minister-wike
SOURCE-19SaharaReporters (2026-05-05) — Abuja Court Admits Evidence Linking Yahaya Bello To $569,000 School Fee Payment In N110Billion Fraud Trial: SaharaReporters (2026-05-05) — Abuja Court Admits Evidence Linking Yahaya Bello To $569,000 School Fee Payment In N110Billion Fraud Trialsaharareporters.com/2026/05/05/abuja-court-admits-evidence-linking-yahaya-bello-569000-school-fee-payment-n110billion
SOURCE-20Punch — Alleged N84bn fraud: EFCC operatives storm Yahaya Bello's Abuja home: Punch — Alleged N84bn fraud: EFCC operatives storm Yahaya Bello's Abuja homepunchng.com/alleged-n84bn-fraud-efcc-operatives-storm-yahaya-bellos-abuja-home-ex-gov-kicks/
SOURCE-21Punch — Abuja American School writes EFCC, to refund Yahaya Bello's $760k children's school fees: Punch — Abuja American School writes EFCC, to refund Yahaya Bello's $760k children's school feespunchng.com/abuja-american-school-writes-efcc-to-refund-yahaya-bellos-760k-childrens-school-fees/
SOURCE-22Punch — Yahaya Bello loses bid to hear N80bn fraud case in Kogi: Punch — Yahaya Bello loses bid to hear N80bn fraud case in Kogipunchng.com/yahaya-bello-loses-bid-to-hear-n80bn-fraud-case-in-kogi/
SOURCE-23THISDAY (2024-12-10) — Court Remands Yahaya Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre, as Trial Commences Jan 29: THISDAY (2024-12-10) — Court Remands Yahaya Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre, as Trial Commences Jan 29www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/12/10/court-remands-yahaya-bello-in-kuje-correctional-centre-as-trial-commences-jan-29/
SOURCE-24THISDAY (2024-09-19) — EFCC Surrounds Kogi Government Lodge in Bid to Arrest Former Governor Yahaya Bello: THISDAY (2024-09-19) — EFCC Surrounds Kogi Government Lodge in Bid to Arrest Former Governor Yahaya Bellowww.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/09/19/efcc-surrounds-kogi-government-lodge-in-bid-to-arrest-former-governor-yahaya-bello/
SOURCE-25Vanguard (2024-09) — EFCC storms Kogi Govt Lodge to arrest Yahaya Bello: Vanguard (2024-09) — EFCC storms Kogi Govt Lodge to arrest Yahaya Bellowww.vanguardngr.com/2024/09/just-in-efcc-storms-kogi-govt-lodge-to-arrest-yahaya-bello-says-aide/
SOURCE-26Vanguard (2024-10) — Alleged N110.4bn Fraud: Court summons former Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello: Vanguard (2024-10) — Alleged N110.4bn Fraud: Court summons former Kogi Gov Yahaya Bellowww.vanguardngr.com/2024/10/alleged-n110-4bn-fraud-court-summons-former-kogi-gov-yahaya-bello/
SOURCE-27Daily Trust (2024-12-13) — 'N80bn Fraud': Yahaya Bello pleads not guilty: Daily Trust (2024-12-13) — 'N80bn Fraud': Yahaya Bello pleads not guiltydailytrust.com/n80bn-fraud-yahaya-bello-pleads-not-guilty/
SOURCE-28Tribune Online — Alleged N110bn fraud: Court remands Yahaya Bello, others in EFCC custody (FCT/HC/CR/778/24 cited): Tribune Online — Alleged N110bn fraud: Court remands Yahaya Bello, others in EFCC custody (FCT/HC/CR/778/24 cited)tribuneonlineng.com/alleged-n110bn-fraud-court-remands-yahaya-bello-others-in-efcc-custody/
SOURCE-29EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Yahaya Bello April 18: EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Yahaya Bello April 18www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/9981-alleged-n80-2billion-money-laundering-efcc-arraigns-yahaya-bello-april-18
SOURCE-30EFCC Press Release — N110.4bn Fraud: Court Orders Yahaya Bello to Appear for Arraignment: EFCC Press Release — N110.4bn Fraud: Court Orders Yahaya Bello to Appear for Arraignmentwww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10427-n110-4bn-fraud-court-orders-yahaya-bello-to-appear-for-arraignment
SOURCE-31EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Apologizes as Court Grants N500 Million Bail: EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Apologizes as Court Grants N500 Million Bailwww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10580-alleged-80-2bn-fraud-yahaya-bello-apologizes-as-court-grants-500-million-bail
SOURCE-32EFCC Press Release — Yahaya Bello: Appeal Court Quashes Contempt Charge Against EFCC's Olukoyede: EFCC Press Release — Yahaya Bello: Appeal Court Quashes Contempt Charge Against EFCC's Olukoyedewww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10190-yahaya-bello-appeal-court-quashes-contempt-charge-against-efcc-olukoyede
SOURCE-33Premium Times (2024-12-13) — Yahaya Bello pleads not guilty to N80bn fraud, Federal High Court grants N500m bail: Premium Times (2024-12-13) — Yahaya Bello pleads not guilty to N80bn fraud, Federal High Court grants N500m bailwww.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/757304-updated-yahaya-bello-to-spend-two-weeks-in-efcc-custody-after-arraignment.html
SOURCE-34EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2b Money Laundering: Court Fixes Yahaya Bello's Arraignment for December 13: EFCC Press Release — Alleged N80.2b Money Laundering: Court Fixes Yahaya Bello's Arraignment for December 13www.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10557-alleged-n80-2b-money-laundering-court-fixes-yahaya-bellos-arraignment-for-december-13
SOURCE-35TheCable — 'N80.2bn fraud': Yahaya Bello's lawyer applies to withdraw from case: TheCable — 'N80.2bn fraud': Yahaya Bello's lawyer applies to withdraw from casewww.thecable.ng/n80-2bn-fraud-yahaya-bellos-lawyer-applies-to-withdraw-from-case/
SOURCE-36EFCC Press Release — Alleged N101.4 Billion Fraud: Court Orders Service of Hearing Notice on Yahaya Bello: EFCC Press Release — Alleged N101.4 Billion Fraud: Court Orders Service of Hearing Notice on Yahaya Bellowww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10522-alleged-n101-4-billion-fraud-court-orders-service-of-hearing-notice-on-yahaya-bello
SOURCE-37EFCC Press Release — Alleged N110.4b Fraud: Court Dismisses Bail Applications of Yahaya Bello's Co-defendants: EFCC Press Release — Alleged N110.4b Fraud: Court Dismisses Bail Applications of Yahaya Bello's Co-defendantswww.efcc.gov.ng/efcc/news-and-information/news-release/10475-alleged-n110-4b-fraud-court-dismisses-bail-applications-of-yahaya-bellos-co-defendants
SOURCE-38Punch — Alleged N110bn fraud: Yahaya Bello arrives FCT court: Punch — Alleged N110bn fraud: Yahaya Bello arrives FCT courtpunchng.com/photos-alleged-n110bn-fraud-yahaya-bello-arrives-fct-court/

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