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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has issued a public summons against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over his ongoing alleged money laundering and corruption cases initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello had previously been declared wanted over allegations of money laundering and corruption to the tune of N80.2 billion.
In September, the EFCC filed fresh charges against the wanted former governor, accusing him of N110.4 billion fraud.
However, all efforts made by the EFCC to get Bello arrested had been thwarted by political interference.
In September, the former governor honoured the EFCC’s invitation but he was accompanied by the Kogo State Governor, Usman Ododo, and the anti-corruption agency asked him to leave, blaming its refusal to detain him on his decision to come with the governor, who has immunity.
EFCC operatives later stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja in an attempt to arrest the former governor.
The siege was announced by the Director of Yahaya Bello’s Media Office, Ohiare Michael, who raised the alarm in a statement titled, “Despite voluntary visit, EFCC officials surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest former governor Yahaya Bello, fire gunshots.”
In a court document released to the public on Friday morning by the EFCC, Justice Maryann E. Anenih issued a public summons, compelling Yahaya Bello to appear before the court on the 14th of November 2024.
The summons was dated October 3, 2024.
The document reads: “Complaint has been made this day on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that you (YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO) sometime within the year 2016 up until 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit offences to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, Punishable under SECTION 312 of same Law; and having possession or control of property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained contrary to and punishable under Section 319A of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Northern Nigeria 1963.
“You are hereby summoned to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court of Justice (High Court No. 3) sitting at Maitama on the 14th day of November 2024 at the hour of 9:00am to answer to the said complaint.”
