Alleged N80bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Expected in Court Today

Former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello is set to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja today for arraignment on charges of corruption. This comes after months of evasion involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ex-governor.

Bello’s legal team, led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, committed to his court appearance during the last session on May 10. This followed the court’s denial of Bello’s request to suspend the trial.

Mohammed emphasized that while Bello is not afraid of facing the charges, his reluctance to appear stemmed from concerns over his personal safety in Abuja, citing ongoing threats to his life. The agreement to appear in court was influenced by Justice Emeka Nwite’s reassurance that the EFCC would act within the bounds of the law.

Justice Nwite pointed out that Bello is not the first former governor to be summoned by the EFCC and stressed that the charges are based on unproven allegations, reminding that Bello remains innocent until proven guilty. He urged Bello’s counsel to ensure his client complies with the court’s directives.

Responding to the judge’s comments, Mohammed expressed gratitude for the assurance of his client’s safety and confirmed that Bello would appear in court as scheduled. He reiterated the need for protection due to the threats Bello has faced in Abuja.

The court granted the defense a four-week period to present Bello for arraignment, bypassing the need for his appearance at the EFCC office to ensure his safety.