Amid N190Billion Fraud Cases Ododo And Yahaya Bello, Once Declared Wanted By EFCC, Visit Wike
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently standing trial for an alleged N110 billion fraud, has been spotted in a photo with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike at his Abuja residence.
Yahaya Bello visited Wike on Thursday afternoon. The fraud suspect was accompanied by his successor and current Kogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Bello and Ododo’s visit to Wike was disclosed by the senior special assistant on public communication and social media to the minister, Lere Olayinka, who shared several pictures taken by the trio on his X handle.
“Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and his successor, Usman Ododo, visited the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his Abuja residence today,” Olayinka wrote.
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and his successor, Usman Ododo, visited the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his Abuja residence today.
Ibom Focus had reported how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) previously declared Bello wanted for his alleged role in the mismanagement of public funds.
In November 2024, SaharaReporters also reported that the EFCC filed fresh charges against Yahaya Bello, accusing him of N110 billion fraud.
This came after the agency had initially filed 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.
The former governor was granted N500 million bail by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in December 2024.
Justice Maryann Anenih approved the bail application on the condition that Bello should provide three sureties in like sum, who must be responsible citizens with landed properties in prime areas of the FCT, including Guzape, Wuse 2, Apo, Asokoro, and Jabi.
The judge explained that the sureties are also required to submit two passport photographs each and provide valid means of identification, including their National Identification Numbers (NINs).
EFCC had also highlighted the significant risk posed by Bello’s political influence to the integrity of the ongoing trial against him.