A Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has summoned Kogi State former governor, Yahaya Bello, to appear in court regarding a new 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
To allow the former governor to appear before the court, it has scheduled Bello’s arraignment for October 24, where he will be joined by two other defendants listed by the anti-graft agency.
The other defendants in the suit brought before the court on activities that transpired during Bello’s tenure in the state by EFCC were Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The public summons against the former governor was issued on Thursday by Justice Maryanne Anenih following a request from EFCC.
The court mandated the EFCC to widely disseminate the summons through prominent newspapers and to post copies at Bello’s last known residence and within the court’s premises.
It gave the directive after EFCC stated that attempts to serve Bello with previous charges, which were filed on September 24, have been unsuccessful.
The charges brought before the court against the former governor include allegations of a criminal breach of trust involving a significant sum of N110.4 billion.
Bello’s absence during a previously scheduled arraignment have contributed to delays in the proceedings, with the EFCC obtaining two separate warrants from the court.
