COURT DIRECTS SERVICE ON YAHAYA BELLO

A High Court sitting in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory 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.

The court on October 3, 2024, issued a public summons against Yahaya Bello following his refusal to make court appearances for his arraignment on fresh 16 counts bordering on fraud to the tune of N110.4 billion, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, Justice Maryanne Anenih, in a ruling on Thursday, November 14, 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 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 for 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.