Ex-Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Friday pleaded not guilty to the alleged ₦80 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello took his plea on Friday morning during his arraignment for the 19-count charge before e Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja.

This matter is different from the 16-count N110 billion fraud charge before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

In that matter which came up on Tuesday, Justice Anenih dismissed the bail application filed by Bello on the ground that it was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The court, however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.

In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.

She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”