The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a new summons to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, over allegations of criminal breach of trust and unlawful possession of property. Justice Maryann E. Anenih issued the order dated October 3, 2024, requiring Bello to appear before the court on November 14, 2024.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which disclosed the summons via their social media handle, Bello is accused of offences that allegedly occurred between 2016 and 2023.
The charges include criminal breach of trust under Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, with penalties under Section 312. Additionally, he is facing charges of possessing property suspected to be unlawfully acquired under Section 319A.
The public summons stated: “A complaint has been made on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometimes within the year 2016 up until 2023… did commit offences to wit: criminal breach of trust… and having possession or control of property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.”
Bello is expected to appear in High Court No. 3, Maitama, at 9 a.m. on the scheduled date.
The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted, accusing him of being involved in a fraud case amounting to N110 billion. The commission initially filed 19 charges against Bello and his associates for money laundering offences valued at N80 billion. However, recent charges filed on September 25 raised the alleged sum to over N110 billion.
Bello’s recent visit to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja alongside his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, sparked media attention, although the former governor was not questioned during the visit. The EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, remarked that the visit seemed to be more of a publicity stunt rather than an attempt to comply with legal proceedings.
Despite previous attempts to arrest him, Yahaya Bello remains at large, with the EFCC intensifying its efforts to bring him to justice.
