- The EFCC failed to produce former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello in court, delaying his arraignment on 19 counts of money laundering
- Bello faces allegations of laundering N82 billion, with the court setting a new date for his arraignment on January 21, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not produce Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State governor, in court on Thursday. This delayed his planned arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello was scheduled to face fresh charges, including 19 counts of alleged money laundering amounting to N82 billion.
These charges followed his earlier detention by an FCT High Court over a 16-count charge totalling N110.4 billion.
Court insiders disclosed the delay because the required paperwork was not properly filed. As a result, the case was excluded from the court’s schedule for the day.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the matter, had previously set January 21, 2025, as the date to decide on the arraignment. This timeline also aligns with a pending Supreme Court appeal related to the case.
EFCC lawyers and security officials were stationed at the court earlier in the day. However, due to the adjournment, they had to leave by midday.
The case has faced repeated delays, primarily because of the former governor’s continued absence from court.
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