EFCC admits Yahaya Bello’s co-defendants to bail, gets Nov 27 return date

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday sought an adjournment in the fresh case it instituted against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, stating that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

The EFCC, however, admitted his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to bail and requested the court to extend the time for the 1st defendant to appear.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, Counsel for the EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, noted that the court order issued on October 3 had not elapsed.

“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 the 27th day of November 2024, my lord,” he told the court.

He also noted that the November 20 date previously given was not convenient for the prosecuting counsel.

Counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the Prosecution and said he had no objection to the application for adjournment. The 3rd Defendant’s Counsel, Z.E. Abass, concurred.

The prosecution counsel also requested that the court grant an application to paste the notice of hearing on the last known address of the 1st defendant.

After listening to all counsels, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment, including the hearing notice.

“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants. The application is granted,” she said.

Justice Anenih thereby adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.

The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.