Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Friday pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 


Bello is facing alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N80 billion at the Federal High Court,  Abuja. 


He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read out to him in court.


When the case was called for hearing, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, notified the court of the intention of the prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgment of the earlier date fixed for arraignment, explaining that the application had been overtaken by events. 


The Defendant's Counsels, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object and Justice Emeka Nwite, accordingly granted the request.


....more details to follow