The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryann Anenih issued the ruling on Wednesday, directing that Bello remain with the anti-corruption agency until December 10, 2024, when the court will decide on his bail application.
Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were similarly remanded in EFCC custody despite having previously been granted administrative bail.
They, alongside Bello, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The EFCC has accused Bello and his co-defendants of involvement in a N110 billion fraud scheme. The former governor is alleged to have misappropriated state funds to acquire high-value properties both in Nigeria and abroad.
Key properties allegedly acquired with state funds include No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja – valued at N950 million; No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja – valued at N100 million; No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja – valued at N920 million; Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – valued at N170 million.
Others are Hotel Apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai – worth 5,698,888 Dirhams (approximately N1.2 billion); Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – valued at N60 million; No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – valued at N310.4 million.
 High Court has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the custody of the){kind=link}