The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again brought former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, into the spotlight. This time, the anti-corruption agency has accused him of misusing state funds to acquire luxurious properties in both Dubai and Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The charges are part of a larger case that questions how billions of naira meant for the development of Kogi State were allegedly diverted for personal gain.
According to the EFCC’s recent 16-count charge, Bello allegedly used over five million Dirhams (Dubai currency) to purchase a property in Khalifa, a municipality in Dubai. This property acquisition, made while he was still in office as governor, raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds.
But the charges do not stop there. In another count, Bello, along with two others—Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—are accused of spending N950 million in 2023 to buy a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja. Maitama is one of the most expensive areas in Abuja, known for housing top politicians and businessmen.
The EFCC’s charges against Bello outline a wider scheme of alleged financial mismanagement involving over N110 billion of public funds. These funds, meant for the development of Kogi State, were instead allegedly used to acquire various properties both in Nigeria and abroad.
One of the most damning accusations involves a criminal breach of trust. In 2016, Bello, along with his associates, allegedly conspired to commit this illegal act, mismanaging over N110 billion entrusted to them from the Kogi State treasury.
Apart from the real estate acquisitions, the EFCC also pointed to international money transfers made by the former governor and his associates. In 2021, Bello is accused of sending $570,330 to a TD Bank account in the United States, followed by another transfer of $556,265 to the same account. These transactions, according to the EFCC, were done dishonestly and involved money that should have been used for public projects in Kogi State.
Further charges allege that between 2017 and 2018, Bello unlawfully obtained N677 million from a company known as Bespoque Business Solution Limited. The details of how these funds were misused have not yet been fully revealed, but the charges suggest they were part of a broader pattern of financial corruption.
The fresh 16-count charges, marked as CR/7781/2024, were filed by EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. These charges accuse Bello and his associates of criminal breach of trust, which is a serious offence under Section 312 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
Despite these charges, Bello has so far avoided appearing in court. In the past five months, the EFCC has attempted four times to bring him before the Federal High Court in Abuja to face separate allegations of N80.2 billion fraud. However, Bello has repeatedly refused to show up in court.
The EFCC’s persistence in pursuing Bello, despite these delays, suggests that the case against him is far from over. As of now, no date has been set for his arraignment on these new charges, but the spotlight remains firmly on the former governor.
The accusations against Yahaya Bello are part of a broader struggle in Nigeria to hold public officials accountable for corruption and financial mismanagement. If these charges are proven in court, it would represent one of the more significant corruption cases in recent Nigerian history, involving billions of naira intended for state development being diverted for personal use.
While the legal process is ongoing, this case highlights the need for stronger safeguards to ensure that public funds are used appropriately, especially in states that rely heavily on government resources for basic development and infrastructure.
The coming months will be crucial as Nigerians watch to see whether justice will be served in the case against Yahaya Bello and his associates.
