The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja have summoned former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for criminal breach of trust.
Bello was asked to appear before the court on the 14th of November 2024 for having in possession properties unlawfully obtained following a petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on the 3rd day of October 2024.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT in Maitama, Abuja on October 3, 2024, has issued a public summon following his absence in a fresh arraignment on 16-count charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Bello, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu are facing prosecution bordering on criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to commit an offence to the tune of N110.4 Billion.
Justice Anenih issued the summon in a ruling following an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN praying the court to grant leave that the defendant be served the charges via substituted means, following his absence in court to answer charges filed against him on September 24, 2024.
The court ordered that the charges be served on the defendant at his known residence, No 4, Bengazi Street, Maitama, Abuja, through a public summons to be published in widely circulated national newspapers and also pasted within the premises of the court.
The judge granted two separate adjournments: 0ctober 24, 2024 and November 14, 2024. The former for arraignment on the grounds that the defendant will be arrested and brought to court by EFCC and the latter when the 30 days of service elapses.
Bello is also being awaited for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.
In September, the former governor honoured the Commission’s invitation accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, at the EFCC headquarters. However, he was asked to leave, a claim which the Agency denied.
After facing criticism from Nigerians and engaging in a back-and-forth with Bello’s media office regarding the visit of Bello, whom the EFCC declared wanted, EFCC operatives trailed Bello to his hideout where there was a shoot-out and an attempt to forcefully arrest him, which however, failed.
