Alleged N110b Fraud: EFCC Grants Yahaya Bello’s Co-defendants Administrative Bail

…As Court Fixes Arraignment For Nov 27

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, committed the co-defendants of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu to administrative bail, in the money laundering case brought against them by the Federal Government.

The anti-graft agency also requested an adjournment stating that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons is still active, asking the court for an extension of time for Bello to appear.

The former Kogi governor was to be arraigned Thursday, alongside Oricha and Hadu, on a 16-count charge of money laundering, fraud and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N110bn, during his tenure.

At the last adjourned date, Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, fixed Nov. 14 and 20 for response to summons issued to Bello and two others to appear before it for arraignment.

However, at the resumed hearing on Thursday, the EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro noted that the court’s order from October 3rd had not yet expired.

“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November, 2024, my lord,” Agoro said.

He also said that the previously set date of November 20th was not convenient for the prosecution counsels.

Counsel to the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution and had no objection to the adjournment request. The third defendant’s counsel, Z. E. Abass, concurred.

The prosecution counsel also requested the court to allow the notice of hearing to be pasted on the last known address of the first defendant.

After listening to the parties, Justice Anenih granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and the issuance of the hearing notice.

“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” she said.

Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the case to November 27th for arraignment.