…..Bello is facing 19 counts of fraud in the Federal High Court in Maitama, before Justice Emeka Nwite. He was granted bail of N500 million, with two sureties each providing the same amount.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, appeared in court on Monday for the hearing of a fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He faces 19 counts of fraud, which are being heard before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Maitama. The court granted him bail set at N500 million with two sureties, each with the same amount. In addition to this case, Bello is also facing another set of 16 fraud charges in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where he has been granted a separate bail of N500 million with three sureties in a similar amount.

Bello has been entangled in legal issues regarding allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure as governor. On Monday, as his trial resumed, there was an increased presence of security around the court building. In September 2024, the EFCC attempted to arrest him over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja. However, with the help of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, Bello managed to avoid capture. It was reported that Governor Ododo used his position to protect Bello, enabling him to evade arrest. A similar incident occurred in April 2024, when Ododo allegedly assisted Bello in avoiding EFCC officials during a raid in Abuja.

The EFCC has accused Bello of misappropriating state funds during his time in office. In November 2024, he was arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, totaling ₦110.4 billion. Despite initially evading arrest, Bello eventually appeared before the EFCC in November 2024, where he was granted bail with strict conditions.