Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has finally agreed to appear in court for trial on the 13th of June at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court has set this date for his arraignment in response to a 19-count charge of money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello’s counsel assured the court that his client would be present, after Bello had previously failed to show up for arraignment. According to Abdulwahab Mohammed, Bello’s whereabouts were unknown to him, and Bello had stayed away out of fear for his life.
He stated that Bello would now make himself available to clear his name, on the condition that the court guaranteed his safety. Mohammed further clarified that Bello would appear in court and not in EFCC custody.
Previously, Mohammed had requested a stay of proceedings in the case, citing a pending matter at the Appeal Court relating to a separate case involving an order to halt contempt proceedings against the EFCC at the High Court in Lokoja.
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, dismissed the application, stating that Bello would not receive the court’s attention until he complied with the existing order to appear. The judge emphasized that even if the order had been made in error, it must be obeyed in accordance with the court’s instructions.