The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted its decision on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request to try former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in absentia to January 21, 2025. The EFCC is pursuing this action after repeated absences by Bello, who faces charges of alleged money laundering and other financial offenses.
Bello is accused of laundering around N80 billion, with the charges stemming from a government investigation into the former governor’s financial dealings. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment on Wednesday, after hearing arguments from the EFCC, which urged the court to proceed with the trial despite Bello’s absence.
In October, reports from SaharaReporters highlighted that the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, denied bail applications for Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, co-defendants with Bello in a related N110.4 billion fraud case. Justice Maryanne Anenih rejected their oral bail requests, reinforcing the necessity of formal applications for release.
The EFCC recently expanded its case against Bello, accusing him of fraud totaling N110 billion. This builds on an earlier set of 19 charges related to alleged money laundering of N80.2 billion involving Bello and others, including his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The updated charges, filed on September 25, add 16 new counts, raising the total amount involved to N110.4 billion. Bello, alongside Oricho and Hudu, is listed as a key defendant in this case.
Representing the co-defendants, defence attorneys J.B. Daudu, SAN, and A.M. Aliyu, SAN, argued for their clients’ release from EFCC custody, claiming their clients were eligible for bail. However, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, objected, stating that bail requests must be formally documented. Justice Anenih supported this stance, stressing that proper procedures must be observed.
At a recent hearing, Oyedepo informed the court that the EFCC had followed through on an earlier court directive to publicly summon Yahaya Bello. This summons was issued after Bello failed to attend his arraignment despite being ordered to appear on October 3, 2024. The EFCC has since filed an affidavit confirming compliance with the court’s directive.
The adjournment means the case will remain unresolved until early next year, with many closely monitoring the proceedings to see if the former governor will finally face the allegations in court.
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