Federal high court in Abuja has extended the time for former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello to respond to public summons issued against him.
Gatekeepers News reports that presiding judge, Maryanne Anenih on October 3, ordered Yahaya to appear before the court on October 24 for arraignment on a 16-count charge levied against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He didn’t show up and the court adjourned it to November 14 for Bello to respond to the summons.
The former Governor however didn’t show up in court on Thursday, November 14 2024.
Counsel for EFCC, Jamiu Agoro said the order of the court issued on October 3 had not elapsed since the commission effected service on October 18. He prayed the court for an adjournment and an extension of time for Yahaya to appear.
He said, “In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November 2024, my lord.”
Agoro also informed the court that Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, two officials of Kogi state government, have been granted administrative bail.
Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants confirmed administrative bail of their clients.
Charge against the defendants borders on alleged criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089, contrary to sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under section 312 of the same law.
After listening to all counsels, the judge granted EFCC’s application for adjournment and extension of time.
Justice Anenih also ordered that hearing notice should be served on Bello at his last known address and should be pasted on conspicuous places around the court.
