The Court of Appeal in Abuja has directed former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to present himself for trial in connection with an alleged N80 billion fraud. The order was issued on Tuesday, August 20, following an appeal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In April, the EFCC sought to arraign Bello at the Federal High Court in Abuja, charging him with 19 counts of money laundering alongside three other suspects: Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. The charges came after the court granted the EFCC a warrant of arrest and an enrolment order on April 17.
Bello had initially attempted to prevent his arrest by appealing to the Kogi State High Court. However, the appellate court overturned the lower court’s decision, which had restrained the EFCC from arresting him.
Justice Ken Amadi, who delivered the ruling, criticized the lower court’s decision, calling it "scandalous" and asserting that its purpose appeared to be shielding Bello from prosecution. The appeal court also ruled that Bello must refrain from taking any further legal actions concerning the charges until he has been formally arraigned.
Justice Amadi concluded that the EFCC's appeal was meritorious and should proceed, clearing the way for the former governor's trial to begin.
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