Former Governor Yahaya Bello Alleges Political Motive in EFCC N80 Billion Case
In a significant development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has formally accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of conducting a politically motivated trial. Bello’s legal team, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), contends that the prosecution regarding an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case is not a genuine legal pursuit. The allegation was presented before Justice Emeka Nwite during proceedings that involved detailed cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, as both legal teams work to strengthen their positions through documentary and oral evidence.
The core of the case involves accusations that Bello and others conspired in February 2016 to convert N80,246,470,088.88, funds allegedly obtained through criminal breach of trust, which would contravene the Money Laundering Act. During the latest hearing, the defense cross-examined the EFCC’s seventh witness, a bank compliance officer, on transactions linked to Kogi State local governments. The line of questioning underscored the defense’s central argument: that the evidence presented does not directly link the former governor to the specific local government transactions under scrutiny. As the trial progresses, the court is tasked with determining the weight and relevance of this complex financial evidence.
This high-profile case has evolved over several months, marked by public confrontations. A prior witness, a representative from the American International School (AIS), testified about school fees paid for Bello’s children, which the EFCC alleges were proceeds of crime. In a notable procedural moment, Justice Nwite overruled an EFCC objection and admitted a document from Bello’s counsel—a certified true copy of an FCT High Court judgment involving AIS—into evidence. The judge noted its relevance would be determined within the context of the full case. The path to return normalcy to these proceedings remains uncertain as each side presents its case, with the defense firmly maintaining the position that the charges are an attempt to discredit rather than a fair legal process.
