YAHAYA BELLO MAKES NEW PLEA OVER FRESH CHARGES, DETAILS EMERGE

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has made a new plea in response to fresh charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC has accused Bello of diverting around N100 billion belonging to the state government in September 2015.

Bello, alongside two others, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering and fraud. The EFCC has slammed fresh charges against Bello, alleging that he laundered N80.2 billion.

In his plea, Bello has denied the allegations, and his counsel has objected to the reading of the amended charges, citing non-compliance with Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The court has granted Bello's request to recall one of the EFCC's witnesses for fresh cross-examination.

Bello was granted bail in the sum of N500 million, and the court ordered him to continue enjoying the bail conditions granted him in the previous charges. The case is ongoing, with the EFCC seeking to prove the allegations against Bello.

Reacting to the development, Senator Dino Melaye, a former senator representing Kogi West, took to his social media handle to express his thoughts. "The EFCC should not be used as a tool for political witch-hunting. Yahaya Bello should be presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Also reacting, popular Nigerian musician, Davido, expressed his disappointment with the development. "It's sad to see our leaders being accused of corruption. We need to do better as a country," he said.

On his part, human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, called for the EFCC to ensure that justice is served. "The EFCC must ensure that Yahaya Bello is held accountable for his actions. We cannot continue to tolerate corruption in our country," he said.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its support for Bello, describing the allegations against him as "frivolous" and "politically motivated." The party called on the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and to ensure that justice is served.

In a statement signed by the party's state chairman, Abdullahi Bello, the APC said: "We are confident that Yahaya Bello will be vindicated at the end of the day. We call on our supporters to remain calm and to continue to support our party."

As the case continues, many Nigerians are watching with keen interest, eager to see how it will all play out. While some have expressed their support for Bello, others have called for him to be held accountable for his actions.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: the case against Yahaya Bello is a significant one, and it has the potential to send shockwaves throughout the country. As the drama unfolds, Nigerians will be keeping a close eye on developments, eager to see justice served.

In a related development, the EFCC has been commended for its efforts in tackling corruption in the country. The commission has been instrumental in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, and its efforts have been praised by many Nigerians.

However, some have also criticized the EFCC for its perceived bias and selective prosecution. Some have accused the commission of targeting only opposition politicians and ignoring corruption cases involving members of the ruling party.

Despite these criticisms, the EFCC remains a crucial institution in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Its efforts have helped to raise awareness about the dangers of corruption and to promote transparency and accountability in government.

As the case against Yahaya Bello continues, it remains to be seen how it will all play out. One thing is clear, however: the EFCC's efforts to tackle corruption will continue to be closely watched by Nigerians, who are eager to see justice served and corruption eradicated from the country.