The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a public summons against former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello to appear in court and respond to a fresh 16-count pending against him.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, on Thursday, issued the order for public summons in a ruling following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Towards this end, Bello is expected to show up in court on October 24 in response to the summons and for his arraignment along with two other defendants.
The EFCC had claimed that it has been unable to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24 in which the ex-governor and two others were charged with criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion.
The former Kogi State governor has reportedly visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amid an N80.2 billion fraud case instituted against him. Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja had refused to suspend the fraud case against the former governor.
According to Ohiare Michael, Bello honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.
“The former governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, has all along sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process,” he stated.
He noted that the case had been before a competent court of jurisdiction and that 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 firmly believes in the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration 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 implement an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the state’s resources benefit the people.
“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high-profile Nigerians,” the statement added.
Michael expressed hope that the commission would act professionally and respect Bello’s fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bello was on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, served his charges through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN) after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja ruled that the defendant should be served through his counsel, especially as he failed to appear before the court, yet again.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside his Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470,089.88k (Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eighty Kobo).
At the sitting, Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN) had prayed the court to quash the arrest warrant granted to the Commission against Bello, arguing that substituted service to the defendant through his counsel Abdulwahab Muhammad (SAN) has invalidated the arrest warrant.
“The court is expected to do justice at all times. A warrant of arrest cannot be hanging on Bello’s neck when we are in this court. It appears to us that the defendant will not get justice because the court granted a warrant of arrest before service,” he said.
