Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has introduced revised charges against Alli Bello, Daudu Suleiman, and the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
In the updated accusation presented before the Federal High Court on Thursday, the EFCC claimed that the individuals redirected approximately N100bn from the state government’s funds in September 2015, preceding Yahaya Bello’s tenure as governor.
The former Governor was not named a defendant in the initial lawsuit and was absent from the court proceedings.
However, Ali Bello and Dauda Suleman pleaded not guilty to the amended charge, consisting of seventeen counts.
The first defendant’s lawyer, Abubakar Aliyu, objected to the revised charge, arguing that the anti-corruption agency had not followed the procedures outlined in Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
He claimed they were not provided with a copy of the amended charge. However, the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to dismiss the defendant’s arguments, stating that the court had approved the changes.
The trial Judge, Justice James Omotoso acknowledged that he had expedited the hearing and ordered that objections be withheld until the presentation of arguments and the reading of the charge.
Justice Omotosho further maintained that Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman will maintain the same bail conditions previously granted them for earlier charges.
Antecedents of court’s ruling In the initial accusation, former Governor Bello, Alli Bello, and Dauda Suleman were charged with conspiracy to convert N80,246,470,089 for personal gain.
Additionally, they were accused of violating section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as they should have reasonably known that the money originated from fraudulent activities and the breach of public trust.
Separately, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman faced allegations of concealing significant sums of money with Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.
