The Federal Government has brought a new 16-count charge against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion. This charge was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja and falls under Sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89 of Northern Nigeria, 1963, with potential penalties outlined in Section 312 of the same law.
Bello is set to face these charges alongside two Kogi State government officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha. They are accused of misappropriating state funds to purchase properties in upscale areas of Abuja and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Details of the Charges
COUNT ONE: The defendants allegedly conspired in 2016 to commit a criminal breach of trust concerning N110,446,470,089.00.
COUNT TWO: It is claimed they used N950 million in 2023 to acquire a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
COUNT THREE: The trio allegedly spent N100 million in 2021 on a property at No. 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa I District, Abuja.
COUNT FOUR: They are accused of using N920 million in 2020 for a property at No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
COUNT FIVE: N170 million was allegedly used in 2022 for a property at Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
COUNT SIX: The defendants reportedly spent N100 million on a property at No. 1773 Guzape District, Abuja in 2018.
COUNT SEVEN: Another N100 million was allegedly used for a property at No. A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja in 2020.
COUNT EIGHT: They purportedly used N66 million in 2020 for a property at No. 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, and No. 13 Citiscape-Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.
COUNT NINE: The trio is accused of using N550 million for a property at No. 2934 A Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja in 2020.
COUNT TEN: They allegedly used N650 million to purchase a property at No. 1058 in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, known as No. 2 Durban Street Abuja, in 2021.
COUNT ELEVEN: In 2022, they purportedly spent 5,698,888 Dirhams on a property in Dubai located at the Burj Khalifa.
COUNT TWELVE: The defendants are accused of using N60 million for a property at Block 18 (337) flat B Gwelo street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja in 2016.
COUNT THIRTEEN: They allegedly used N310,443,450.00 to renovate a property at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja in 2017.
COUNT FOURTEEN: The defendants are accused of sending $570,330.00 to an account with TD Bank in the United States in 2021.
COUNT FIFTEEN: Another $556,265.00 was allegedly sent to the same TD Bank account in 2021.
COUNT SIXTEEN: Bello is solely accused of unlawfully obtaining N677,848,000 from Bespoque Business Solutions Limited between 2017 and 2018 in Abuja.
