Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, remanded Ali Bello, a nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in prison pending determination of his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Bello on charges bordering on money laundering and criminal appropriation of N3 billion.
Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, said Bello was docked alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and Rashida Bello (at large) on 18 count-charge of criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them. Following their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution prove its case.
However, defence lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail pending hearing and determination of the case. Justice Egwuatu, thereafter, adjourned the matter till February 13 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre until determination of the bail request.
