The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will on Thursday, April 18, 2024 arraign a former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
In a statement on the commission’s official website, the former governor will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).
Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, April 17.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the warrant this afternoon at the instance of the EFCC.
However, this is as a Kogi State High Court, in a conflicting ruling, restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining or prosecuting the ex-governor.
The EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had approached the court by an exparte application dated 16th of April, but filed today, 17th of April, 2024.
After listening to the EFCC Counsel, Justice Nwite granted an order directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the Defendant for the purpose of bringing him before the Court for his arraignment.
The court further adjourned till tomorrow April, 18 2024 for the arraignment of the former governor.
Speaking on the siege at the former governor’s residence, EFCC said the commission’s attempt to execute the warrant of arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
“The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle.
“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
