The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to present himself for trial over an alleged N80 billion fraud.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, August 20, by Justice Ken Amadi, comes after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved to arraign Bello on a 19-count charge of money laundering at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges against Bello also involve three other suspects: Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The EFCC’s action follows a warrant of arrest and an enrollment order granted by the court on April 17, 2024.
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Bello had previously attempted to halt his arrest by approaching the Kogi State High Court, which issued a ruling in his favor, restraining the EFCC from proceeding with the arrest.
However, the appellate court’s decision has now overturned the lower court’s ruling, allowing the EFCC to move forward with the trial. Justice Amadi, while delivering the judgment, criticized the Kogi State High Court’s ruling, describing it as “scandalous” and suggesting that it was aimed at shielding Bello from facing justice.
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The judge further restrained the former governor from taking any further legal actions related to the charges until he had been formally arraigned.
The EFCC’s appeal was deemed meritorious by the Court of Appeal, effectively clearing the path for Bello’s prosecution. The case has garnered significant attention, given the gravity of the allegations and the high-profile nature of the accused.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Abuja to see how the trial unfolds.