End Of Drama As Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment Date Fixed
After weeks of hide and seek drama between the former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has launched a manhunt for him, there were indications on Friday that the wanted former Governor has finally agreed to submit himself to the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja for arraignment.
He is expected to be docked on June 13, 2024 over corruption charges filed against him EFCC.
Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed gave an undertaking to Justice Emeka Nwite.
He enter the agreement shortly after the request for the suspension of trial his client was rejected by the court.
Mohammed said the former governor was not afraid of arraignment but safety of his life in the hand of the EFCC in Abuja.
Counsel to the former governor further told the court that the life of his client has been under consistent threats in Abuja, hence, his decision to go underground for safety reasons.
The undertaking to submit to court trial was informed by the remarks of Justice Nwite that EFCC as a law-abiding body would not do anything against the provisions of the law.
The Judge said that Yahaya Bello was not the first former governor to be merely invited by the anti-graft agency and would not be the last.
According to the Judge, the charges are based on allegations that have not been proved.
Justice Nwite added that the law even presume any accused person innocent until proven otherwise.
He advised the senior lawyer to prevail on the defendant to respect the law and order of court as a law abiding person.
In his response to the admonition by the Judge, Yahaya Bello’s lawyer thanked the Justice Nwite for the counsel.
He assured that with the assurance that EFCC would not do anything untoward, the former governor would be brought to court.
“All my client needs is just an assurance for the safety of his life which has been under threat for sometimes in Abuja.
The lawyer requested for four weeks to bring his client before the court.
He said that Yahaya Bello would however come to the court instead of the EFCC to take his plea in the charges.
Based on the undertaking and with no objection from the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Justice Nwite then fixed June 13 for Yahaya Bello to appear in court to take his plea.
