Barring any unexpected developments, former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello is scheduled to be arraigned this morning at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will charge Bello with 19 counts of alleged money laundering. His plea will be taken before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Although the arraignment was originally set for January 27 next year, sources indicate that the EFCC sought an earlier date due to Bello’s presence at the anti-graft agency.
Reports confirm that hearing notices for the arraignment have been served to both Bello’s legal team and the EFCC to ensure a smooth proceeding.
This will mark the second time the EFCC has put Bello on trial. On November 27, he was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on allegations of breach of trust.
At the previous arraignment, Bello pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges brought against him and requested bail to prepare his defense.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over that case, adjourned the ruling on his bail application to December 10. Until then, she ordered that Bello and two co-defendants remain in EFCC custody.