Yahaya Bello Again Makes Judiciary Looks Like Children Playground By Not Appearing

 

The former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, once again failed to appear at the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment on corruption charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall how Bello, through his legal representative, had agreed to appear in court on the last adjourned date.

His lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, assured Justice Emeka Nwite on May 10 that Bello was not avoiding arraignment but expressed concerns about his safety in the custody of the EFCC in Abuja. Nonetheless, Bello failed to appear for arraignment on Thursday.

Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to June 27, 2024, due to Bello's absence.

As previously reported by SaharaReporters on April 18, the EFCC had lodged 19 criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja against the former governor, centered on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The charge, designated FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 and dated March 9, 2024, lists Yahaya Adoza Bello as the sole Defendant, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant.

According to the EFCC, Bello is accused of misappropriating N80,246,470,089.88 of Kogi State government funds in February 2016, violating Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

Furthermore, Bello is alleged to have indirectly utilized N950 million, proceeds of crime, through Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu for the acquisition of a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.