In Abuja, the Federal High Court restated its earlier directive issued on April 17 to apprehend and bring forth Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state. Justice Emeka Nwite emphasized that Bello’s continuous absence from court proceedings and his attempts to thwart the arrest warrant issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were deemed disrespectful to the court’s authority.

New Court Ruling Increases Tension in Yahaya Bello vs EFCC Case

Federal High Court Insists on Yahaya Bello’s Arrest

The court accused Bello of actively impeding the progress of the criminal case initiated by the EFCC against him. Justice Nwite asserted that Bello must personally appear in court and address the 19-count money laundering charges brought against him by the EFCC before any of his applications could be considered.

Court Denies Yahaya Bello’s Plea

Additionally, the judge dismissed a request made by Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN), to halt further proceedings in the case until the EFCC’s appeal regarding a contempt case before the High Court of Kogi state, situated in Lokoja, was resolved.

The EFCC had declared Bello a wanted individual on April 18, and both the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Service (DSS) have placed him on their watchlists. The anti-corruption agency is pursuing legal action against the former governor on charges including money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion.

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