Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital
Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, has directed that a hearing notice be
served on Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, at his residence and on
the court’s notice board. This follows his repeated failure to appear in court
for arraignment on charges of fraud involving N101.4 billion.
In a ruling on Thursday, November 14, 2024,
Justice Anenih instructed that the hearing notice be pasted at Bello’s
residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, and displayed on
the court’s notice board. The court issued this order as the public summons
requiring Bello’s appearance is set to expire on November 17, 2024, allowing
him a few remaining days to comply.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC requested an adjournment to allow Bello more time to respond to the public
summons, which provides a 30-day period for his appearance. According to the
counsel to the EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, the option of issuing a warrant of
arrest is premature as the 30-day compliance period has not yet expired.
Justice Anenih thereafter granted the
EFCC’s request for an adjournment, setting November 27, 2024, as the new date
for Bello to appear in court for arraignment.
Recall that the court had previously issued a
public summons on October 3, 2024, after Bello failed to attend prior hearings
related to the new 16-count charges filed against him by the EFCC. The charges
include allegations of fraud amounting to N101.4 billion.
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