Court Insists on Yahaya Bello’s Presence for N80.2billion Fraud Arraignment

11th May, 2024

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has emphasised the necessity for the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to appear physically for arraignment before the court would consider any of his applications.

The judge stated that Bello, who faced prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N80.2 billion fraud, was demonstrating disrespect and contempt for the court by refusing lawful arraignment.

Consequently, the court ruled that Bello had no entitlement for his applications to be heard until he complied with the requirement for physical appearance.

This was contained in a post via EFCC’s X handle on Friday, May 10.

Part of the post reads: “Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Friday, May 10, insisted on the physical appearance of the former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Adoza Bello for arraignment before any of his applications can be entertained by the court.

“The judge further held that Bello, who is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on an alleged N80.2billion fraud, is acting in disrespect and contempt of the court by resisting lawful arraignment and as such lacks any entitlement for his applications to be heard by the same court.

“Ruling on the matter on Friday, Justice Nwite held that any party that disrespects the court is not entitled to his prayers to be heard by the same court. ‘Yahaya Bello is acting in disobedience of the court. Anyone in contempt of the court is not entitled to be heard. The defendant should make himself available. He ought to make himself available in court. The defendant is taking this court for granted. The application of the defendant cannot be heard unless he is present in court’, he said.”

Source: X | officialEFCC