Eniola Jolaoso
The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has been ordered to appear in court for his arraignment scheduled for October 24, 2024.
This order was issued out publicly by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama.
He is set to face arraignment alongside co-defendants Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu on 16 new counts of fraud charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
The High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Maryanne Anenih whom the case was brought before, has issued an order directing Yahaya Bello to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court to respond to charges of criminal breach of trust and fraud, involving the alleged misappropriation of N110.4 billion.
The order is being followed by the petition filed by the EFCC, which stated that it had been unable to provide him with new charges filed on September 24 .
The Commission testified that the ex Kogi Governor and his co-defendants misused funds entrusted to them.
However, Justice Anenih instructed the Commission to make public orders in a widely read newspaper and also deliver copies of the court order to Bello’s Most Recent address and designated locations within the court premises.
The proceedings was hereby postponed due to Yahaya’s Failure to appear in the court on Thursday for arraignment on the fresh charges as Proposed.This was identified to be another time of his absence .
The EFCC continues to thoroughly investigate the case described as one of the gravest Corruption charges against a former governor in present times.
Months before now, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court , Abuja, had issued an arrest warrant against him on April 17.
Yahaya Bello is also currently faced with 19 additional counts of money laundering and misappropriation of N80.2 billion, but has repeatedly evaded arraignment, skipping five scheduled court appearances before the Judge.