Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, following his absence at a scheduled arraignment on October 3, 2024.
The case involves 16 charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relating to a fraud case totalling N110.4 billion.
Bello, alongside Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces charges of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to commit the offence. The EFCC had filed the charges on September 24, 2024.
The court’s summons followed an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requesting permission for the charges to be served through substituted means after Bello failed to appear in court. Justice Anenih granted the application, ordering that the charges be served at Bello’s last known address—No. 4, Benghazi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Additionally, the summons will be published in widely circulated national newspapers and displayed within the court’s premises.
Justice Anenih granted two separate adjournments: the first on October 24, 2024, for Bello’s arraignment, during which the EFCC is expected to arrest and bring him to court. The second adjournment, scheduled for November 14, 2024, follows the 30-day service period of the public summons.
In a separate case, Bello is also awaiting arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on an 18-count charge involving money laundering totalling N80.2 billion.
Both cases highlight serious allegations of financial misconduct during Bello’s tenure as governor, with the EFCC continuing its efforts to bring him to justice.
