The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties. Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, stated that bail is granted at the court’s discretion while delivering the ruling. Details shortly…
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, billed to be arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Wednesday, took over crowd control of the courtroom when Justice Maryann Anenih walked out. Justice Anenih, who came in to take the plea of the former governor and his co-defendants, rose abruptly and announced not to come back until there was sanity in the courtroom. Shortly after the judge left the courtroom, Bello who sat in the front of the courtroom stood up and moved to the surging crowd. He immediately directed his followers and sympathisers to vacate their seats and leave the courtroom. His actions doused the tension without resistance, as the followers left the courtroom one after the other. To ensure sanity in the courtroom, the former governor sat at the entrance to the courtroom and ensured that none of his followers disobeyed the order of the court, Meanwhile, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN is leading the Federal Government legal team for the arraignment while Joseph Dauda, SAN, leads the legal team of the former governor in the 16-count charges. Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in April 2024. The EFCC had filed 19 charges against Bello and his nephews, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for allegedly laundering over N80 billion. NAN
The immediate former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has arrived at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for the hearing on alleged N110 billion fraud preferred against him. Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in April 2024. He reported at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday and was quizzed. He was taken to court on Wednesday morning. Since filing the charges against the former governor, the commission has not been able to bring him to court for arraignment. The commission had initially filed 19 charges against Bello, along with his nephews Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman and Abdulsalam Hudu for money laundering offences amounting to over N80bn. Punch
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has again honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged misappropriation of funds. It was gathered that the embattled former governor went to the anti-graft agency office on Tuesday morning in the company of his lawyers. His visit to the commission follows the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed states’ case on the constitutionality of the anti-graft agency. It was also gathered that Bello drove himself in a black Hilux to the EFCC office with his lawyers. There were insinuations last week that he was going to visit the EFCC but the former governor’s media aides did not respond to enquiries on the information. Recall that at the last hearing on the fresh charges preferred against the former governor which is before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama in Abuja, heard on November 14, the EFCC had sought for an adjournment to tomorrow (November 27) in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued. The EFCC, however, admitted his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to administrative bail and prayed to the court for an extension of time for the 1st Defendant to appear. The matter was subsequently adjourned by the trial judge for the arraignment of Bello. Punch
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (SAN) has granted administrative bail to two men – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – charged with former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for allegedly diverting the state’s funds. The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge against Bello and the two other defendants, alleging criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion. At the mention of the case yesterday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, lawyer to the EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, said the order of the court, given on October 3 in issuing public summons against Bello, had not lapsed. Agoro confirmed that the EFCC had granted an administrative bail to Oricha and Hudu, the second and third defendants. He added: “In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. “So, we have discussed and agreed to come back on November 27, 2024.” The EFCC’s lawyer said the November 20 date, earlier given by the court, was not convenient for the prosecution. He urged the court to grant an application to issue a hearing notice to be served on Bello, the first defendant who was absent in court, and for the notice to be pasted on his last known address. Oricha’s lawyer, Aliyu Saiki (SAN), confirmed that his client had been granted an administrative bail by the prosecution, saying he was not objecting to the application for an adjournment. Hudu’s lawyer, Z. E. Abass, also confirmed the bail grant to his client and agreed to the prosecution’s request for bail. Ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih granted the request for an adjournment and ordered the issuance of hearing notice to be pasted on the last known address of the first defendant and on a conspicuous place in the court premises. Justice Anenih adjourned till November 27 for hearing the case when Bello is expected to be present in court.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment. The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification. Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises. The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.
Former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello today Wednesday, September 18, 2024, honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission According to a release signed by Ohiare Michael, the Director, Yahaya Bello Media Office, the former governor’s decision to honour the invitation was made after his due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies. “The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process. The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country. It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State. He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians. It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”
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