By Aaior K. Comfort

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has summoned former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to appear for arraignment on October 24, 2024. Bello, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces 16 fresh charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello had been declared wanted after repeatedly failing to appear in court to face earlier charges of money laundering and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion. An arrest warrant was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on April 17, 2024, after Bello’s absence from proceedings.

The new charges, amounting to ₦110.4 billion, were brought before Justice Maryanne Anenih, who ruled that Bello must appear in court to answer for the allegations. The EFCC had applied for the public summons after being unable to serve the charge directly. Justice Anenih ordered that the summons be published in a widely read newspaper and posted at Bello’s last known address and the court premises.

Bello’s absence from court on Thursday further delayed the arraignment. The former governor, alongside his co-defendants, faces serious accusations of criminal breach of trust.