The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
arraigned Rashida, wife of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, over alleged fraud.
Also arraigned on Wednesday before a federal high court in
Abuja was Ali Bello, identified as a nephew to the Kogi governor.
In a statement by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson, the
agency said the duo were docked alongside three other persons on an 18-count
charge “bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune
of N3,081,804,654″.
Rashida is, however, said to be at large.
“That you, Ali Bello,
Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, Rashida Bello (at large)
sometime in June, 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court procured E-Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of
N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million, Eight Hundred and Four
Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to
have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal
misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections
18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable
under section 15 (3) of the same Act,” the charge reads in part.
“That you Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in November
2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court procured
E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 (Five
Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars)
to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of
America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of
unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed
an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition
Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel, thereafter asked the court to
set a trial date, but Ahmed Raji, the defence counsel, asked for bail pending
when the case would be determined.
Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, ordered that the
defendants be remanded at a correctional centre pending the ruling on their
bail application.
The matter was also adjourned till February 13.
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