A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), located in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a public summons ordering the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to appear in court on October 24, 2024.Â
The summons is in relation to a 16-count charge of alleged fraud filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Along with Bello, two other individuals, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are also being charged in connection with the case.
The EFCC accuses Bello and the other defendants of engaging in a criminal breach of trust, mismanaging a total sum of N110.4 billion during Bello’s tenure as governor.
The anti-graft agency has been pursuing the case, claiming that the funds in question were misappropriated under the former governor’s watch.
Justice Maryanne Anenih issued the public summons after the EFCC’s request, stating that the commission had encountered difficulties in personally serving the charges to Yahaya Bello.
The inability to serve him with the court documents caused a delay in the case, stalling his arraignment, which had been originally scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2024.
This recent development comes after several previous efforts to bring Bello to court. In May of this year, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the former governor must physically appear in court to face the charges against him.
Additionally, last month, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision, reinforcing the order for Bello to be present for the legal proceedings.
Bello’s absence from the arraignment continues to be a significant roadblock in the EFCC’s pursuit of justice regarding the alleged financial misconduct.
As the October 24 date approaches, all eyes are on whether the former governor will comply with the summons and face the allegations in court.
