N110bn fraud case: Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment till Nov 27

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to November 27, 2024, regarding fresh 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Bello, alongside two others, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces charges relating to criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to commit an offence totalling N110.4 billion.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro requested an adjournment to ensure Bello’s presence in court for arraignment, as the court’s order, issued on October 3, had not yet expired.

According to the prosecution, the 30-day window provided by the court for summons was still active.

It should be recalled that the court had issued a public summons for Bello to appear and respond to the 16 charges against him. Justice Anenih ordered the summons to be published in a widely circulated newspaper and pasted at Bello’s last known address, as well as in prominent locations within the court premises.

Agoro further requested the court extend the time for Bello’s appearance and sought permission to post a hearing notice at his last known address.

He stated, “I will humbly pray, Your Lordship, for an extension of time for the 1st defendant to be present in court. We believe it would not be appropriate to proceed while the 30-day period is still active.”

Meanwhile, Bello’s co-defendants, Oricha and Hudu, have been granted administrative bail by the EFCC. Aliyu Saiki, SAN, counsel for the 2nd defendant, confirmed the bail and voiced no objection to the adjournment request. ZE Abass, counsel for the 3rd defendant, concurred with Saiki’s position.

The EFCC prosecutor informed the court that an agreement had been reached with the defence team to reconvene on November 27, as the previous date of November 20 was inconvenient.

After hearing submissions from all parties, the judge granted the EFCC’s request for adjournment and approved the posting of the hearing notice at Bello’s residence. The trial judge then adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.

She stated, “I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant, the issuance of a hearing notice, and the submissions from the 2nd and 3rd defendants. The application is granted.”