Embattled former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and his successor Usman Ododo visited the Abuja residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday.
The appearance of the three politicians who belong to different parties has set tongues wagging online since Wike’s media aide Lere Olayinka shared some photos of the visit on social media.
While Wike is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ododo and Bello are known to be members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Though the purpose of the visit was not made known as of press time, it was the first time the former Kogi governor would be seen with the FCT minister since his ordeal began about one year ago.
Bello, who was the governor of the North Central state between May 2015 and May 2023, has not been seen with his former colleagues or APC chieftains since his fraud and money laundering trial began.
In December 2024, Bello was released on bail from the Kuje Custodial Centre. The former governor and two others are facing fraud charges involving N110 billion allegedly diverted from the Kogi State government’s coffers before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Bello pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025.
Also, Bello is facing N80 billion money laundering charges at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
