The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Ali Bello, a nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court Abuja.
Bello was docked on Wednesday alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello who the Commission says is at large on an 18-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of Three Billion, Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira.
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The information which is contained in a Statement by the EFCC says the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
And in view of their pleas, Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.
However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case till 13 February 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma