The appeal Court, Abuja Division has ordered former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello to appear in Court and be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the sum of N80.2 billion alleged money laundering charge.
On Tuesday, a three-man panel of justices, comprising Justice H. A Barka, Justice S. A Bola and Justice I. K Amadi also quashed two appeals filed by Bello seeking to halt his arraignment after the alleged fraud that was allegedly committed during his tenure as Governor of the State.
A statement by EFCC said the Appeal Court Justices described the freeing of Yahaya Bello from EFCC’s prosecution by Justice Jamil of the Kogi State High Court “under the guise of enforcing his fundamental rights was “scandalous”.
The Court further noted that “It is very clear that the purpose of the case instituted at the trial court was to shield the respondent Yahaya Bello from his criminal trial”.
The Justices who upheld the EFCC’s application for the quashing of Justice Jamil’s fundamental rights shield on Yahaya Bello, agreed with the appeal of the Commission, stating that it is “meritorious and is therefore allowed.”
The Justices drew authority from the provision of Section 396(2) of ACJA, and ordered Yahaya Bello to show up in court for his arraignment before any further action can be taken regarding his trial.
“In view of the provision of Section 396(2) of ACJA, the Respondent in this appeal; ALH. YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO is hereby ordered to appear for his arraignment in Charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, FRN VS ALI BELLO & ANOR, before taking any other step in this matter,” the court ruled.
After several unsuccessful attempts by the EFCC to arrest and Bello, the white lion and arraigned him have been unsuccessful.
TheNewspad recalls that in April 2024, Mr Ola Olukoyede, vowed to resign as EFCC chairman, following reports that the elsewhile Governor had allegedly used State funds the sum of
$720,000 to pay his child’s tuition abroad.
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