The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has summoned former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for arraignment on October 24. This summons comes as Bello faces 16 new charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Bello had previously been declared wanted after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for him on April 17. He failed to appear before Justice Nwite to respond to 19 counts related to money laundering and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, who is presiding over the new charges against Bello, ruled on Thursday that he must appear in court to address these allegations. The EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges filed on September 24, which involve criminal breach of trust amounting to N110.4 billion.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih instructed the EFCC to publish a public summons in a widely circulated newspaper and to post copies at Bello’s last known address and other prominent locations within the court premises.
Bello was expected to appear in court on Thursday for his arraignment concerning the new charges; however, his absence postponed the scheduled proceedings.
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