Bello’s appearance at the Presidential Villa comes as he faces multiple EFCC charges over alleged diversion of billions of naira in state and local government funds.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is facing trial over alleged multi-billion naira fraud, on Tuesday attended a high-level All Progressives Congress (APC) summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The event, tagged the Progressives Governors Forum–Renewed Hope Strategic Summit, was organised under the leadership of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. President Bola Tinubu attended as Guest of Honour.

In a statement issued by his media office and signed by Ohiare Michael, Bello said his presence at the summit was part of consultations among APC stakeholders on governance priorities, policy direction, and strategies to advance the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Bello’s public appearance has drawn attention because it comes amid his ongoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the former governor on 19 counts of money laundering, alleging that he diverted about ₦80.2 billion from Kogi State and several local government accounts during his tenure between January 2016 and January 2024. Bello has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the resumed trial in January, an Access Bank compliance officer testified that billions of naira traced to Kogi local governments were allegedly paid into private company accounts and largely withdrawn in cash within short periods. According to the witness, over ₦3.1 billion was channelled through E-Traders International Limited, while more than ₦2.5 billion allegedly passed through Fazab Business Enterprise.

In a separate but related case before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Bello is also facing allegations involving the alleged diversion of ₦110 billion, which prosecutors say was used to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai. He has equally denied those claims.

Despite the legal battles, Bello’s media team described his participation at the APC summit as a contribution to discussions on national development, economic reforms, and party cohesion.

The EFCC trial against the former governor is scheduled to continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja.