A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has
extended the time for Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, to respond to the
public summons issued against him.
On October 3, Maryanne Anenih, presiding judge, ordered
Bello to appear before the court on October 24 for arraignment on a 16-count
charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
Bello was however absent at the court session on October 24.
The court had then adjourned to November 14 for Bello to
respond to the summons.
However, the former governor did not show up in court on
Thursday.
Jamiu Agoro, counsel for the EFCC, said the order of the
court issued on October 3 had not elapsed since the commission effected service
on October 18.
Consequently, Agoro prayed the court for an adjournment and
an extension of time for Bello to appear.
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“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to
take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and
agreed to come back on the 27th day of November 2024, my lord,” he said.
The EFCC also told the court that Bello’s co-defendants,
Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, two officials of the Kogi state government,
have been granted administrative bail.
Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants confirmed the
administrative bail of their clients. They also did not oppose the request for
adjournment and extension of time.
After listening to all counsels, the judge granted the
EFCC’s application for adjournment and extension of time.
The judge also ordered that hearing notice should be served
on Bello at his last known address and should be pasted on conspicuous places
around the court.
The charge against the defendants borders on alleged
criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089, contrary to sections
96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and
punishable under section 312 of the same law.
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