Former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought 19 counts against him. The arraignment will take place before Justice Emeka Nwite, who will hear the charges and take his plea.

Although initially set for January 27, 2025, the court proceedings have been moved forward following the EFCC’s request to expedite the case. This comes after Bello was brought before the agency, making it necessary to bring the matter to court sooner than originally planned.

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Both Bello’s legal team and the EFCC have received the arraignment notice, ensuring the case moves forward smoothly. This marks the second time the EFCC has charged Bello, with a previous arraignment taking place on November 27 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for alleged breach of trust.

During that case, Bello denied the 16 charges and sought bail to allow time for his defense preparations. Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over the hearing, scheduled a ruling on the bail request for December 10. In the meantime, Bello, along with two others facing charges, has been remanded in EFCC custody.