The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has postponed the arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, to November 27, 2024. Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the proceedings following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has filed 16 fresh charges against Bello, alongside co-defendants Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The trio faces accusations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy over an alleged N110.4 billion fraud.
At the hearing, EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro petitioned for the adjournment, explaining that the 30-day summons window, mandated by the court on October 3, remained active, allowing additional time to secure Bello’s presence. The EFCC previously obtained a public summons order for Bello after unsuccessful attempts to deliver the September 24 charge sheet directly to him. Justice Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper and display it prominently at Bello’s last known address and within court premises.
Agoro further requested permission to place a hearing notice at Bello’s registered residence on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, to reinforce the summons. Meanwhile, Bello’s co-defendants, Oricha and Hudu, have been granted administrative bail, and their respective counsels expressed no opposition to the adjournment, which was coordinated with the defence team for November 27.
Following a review of the applications, Justice Anenih approved the EFCC’s requests for both the adjournment and the hearing notice display, emphasizing the court’s adherence to procedural requirements.
