A HIGH Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, has summoned the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, over a fresh 16-count preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The fresh 16-count charge against him is linked to an alleged N110.4 billion fraud.
The judge, Maryanne Anenih, asked Bello to appear before it on October 24 along with two other defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Anenih issued the summons following an application from the EFCC.
The defendants were initially scheduled to take their plea on Thursday, October 3. However, when the case was mentioned, the EFCC notified the court that all efforts to serve the charge, filed on September 24, to the former governor had been unsuccessful.
While delivering her ruling, Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper and to post copies at Bello’s last known residence, as well as in conspicuous areas within the court premises.
The ICIR reported on September 18 that there was confusion over Bello’s submission to the EFCC after the commission had declared him wanted for months.
The EFCC had refuted Bello’s claim that he submitted to the commission.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, and posted on its X handle on Wednesday, September 18, the commission said the ex-governor remained wanted “for alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges.”
The stance of the anti-graft agency conflicted with the position of Bello’s media office, which stated that the former governor had submitted to the EFCC.
His media aide, Ohiare Michael, said in a statement that the fugitive former governor presented himself “after due consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.”.
The statement said Bello honoured the invitation to clear his name, adding that he had nothing to hide or fear.
The former governor’s media office issued another statement insisting that the fugitive politician visited the commission but was not interrogated.
Accusation against former governor
Bello has been facing allegations of financial impropriety, as the EFCC accused him of laundering N80.2 billion and other infractions while he served as governor.
He was charged with three others, including his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu.
On Wednesday, September 25, the federal government filed a fresh 16-count charge against Bello.
The charge, filed before a federal high court in Abuja, bordered on alleged criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089.
A reporter with the ICIR
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