Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has pleaded not guilty to an 18-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charges include allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N80.2 billion.

Bello entered his plea during his arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the prosecution’s decision to withdraw an earlier application seeking to move up the arraignment date, noting that the request had become unnecessary.

The defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, raised no objections to the withdrawal, and Justice Nwite approved the request.The case continues as Bello maintains his innocence on all charges