Taiwo Popoola
Barring any unforeseen circumstance, former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will this morning be arraigned at the federal high court in Abuja.
The former governor would be docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 19-count charges of alleged money laundering.
He is to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite where his plea will be taken.
Although the arraignment was slated for January 27 next year, it was gathered that the EFCC pushed for bringing forward the arraignment following the presence of the former governor before the anti-graft agency.
This will be the second time the EFCC will be putting Bello on trial having docked him on Wednesday, November 27 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on an alleged breach of trust.
Urban Express News Online gathered that the hearing notice for the arraignment had already been served on the legal team of the former governor and that of the EFCC to ensure a hitch-free arraignment.
He denied the 16-count charges brought against him and requested bail to enable him to prepare for his defence in the charges.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over the arraignment, however, fixed December 10 for ruling on the bail application.
The Judge ordered that the former governor and two others arraigned along with him be remanded in EFCC custody till the ruling is delivered.
