Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State who is currently facing trial over alleged multi-billion naira fraud, was present on Tuesday at the Progressives Governors Forum–Renewed Hope Strategic Summit held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his media office and signed by Ohiare Michael, Bello’s team confirmed that he attended the summit organized by the Progressives Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The statement said the meeting brought together “key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deliberate on policy direction, governance priorities, and strategies to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.”
The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who was described in the statement as the “Guest of Honour.” Mr. Bello’s presence at the high-profile political event comes as he continues to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The EFCC has filed 19 counts of money laundering against him, accusing him of diverting N80.2 billion from Kogi State Government coffers and certain local government accounts during his tenure from January 2016 to January 2024. He has, however, denied the allegations.