The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that two co-defendants of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, have been granted bail pending their arraignment. This development was confirmed on Thursday when the case was presented before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. However, the EFCC disclosed challenges in serving Bello with the court summons related to fresh charges of a N110.4 billion fraud.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro highlighted that although a public summons for Bello was issued on October 18, the order remains active for a 30-day period, set to expire on November 17. Agoro argued for an adjournment until Bello could respond to the summons, citing that proceeding within the 30-day period might be premature.
Agoro also requested the court’s permission to extend the deadline for Bello’s appearance and sought authorization to serve a hearing notice by posting it at Bello’s last known address in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Lawyers for Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who were granted administrative bail by the EFCC, expressed no objection to the requested adjournment. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Aliyu Saiki, representing one of the defendants, thanked the EFCC for the bail but requested assurance that his client would be permitted to remain free under the granted terms.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to November 27. She ordered that the court serve a fresh hearing notice to Bello, posting it at his residence and visibly within the court premises.
The EFCC has charged Bello and his co-defendants in connection with alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and acquisition of properties using misappropriated Kogi State funds. Some of the properties cited in the charge include high-value real estate assets in Abuja, such as No. 35 Danube Street (N950 million) and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street (N920 million), among others. Additionally, the defendants allegedly made transfers totaling over $1.1 million to a U.S.-based bank and were accused of possessing N677.8 million through Bespoque Business Solution Limited, in violation of Nigerian financial laws.
The EFCC’s intensified efforts reflect its commitment to pursuing financial accountability among former public officials while signaling a stringent stance against alleged corruption in state governance.
