The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The charge is bordering on money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2 billion.
After the charge was read to him, Bello responded that he was not guilty of all 18 counts.
When the case was called for hearing, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of the intention of the prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgement of the earlier date fixed for arraignment.
He said the application had been overtaken by events.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Nwite accordingly granted the request.
