The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The ex-Gov is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N80bn.He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. When the case was called for hearing, on Friday, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, notified the Federal High Court, Abuja, of the intention of the Prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgment of the earlier date fixed for arraignment.

He said the application had been overtaken by events. The Defendant's Counsels, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object and Justice Emeka Nwite, accordingly granted the request.