The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor warned on Thursday that the government might resort to involving the military to compel the appearance of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for trial on charges of N80 billion money laundering.
Yahaya Bello, whose tenure ended on January 27, was due for arraignment on Thursday on 19 counts of money laundering before Justice Emeka Nwite. However, he failed to appear, halting the scheduled arraignment.
The judge had issued a warrant for his arrest based on an ex parte application by the EFCC.
Despite EFCC’s efforts to arrest him at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, they were unsuccessful. During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, revealed that Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State obstructed Mr. Bello’s arrest by whisking him away in his official vehicle.
Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), highlighted the agency’s professionalism in handling the standoff to prevent a “bloodbath” between EFCC operatives and police officers guarding Mr. Bello’s residence.
Pinheiro emphasized that while Governor Ododo enjoys immunity, Mr. Bello, as a former governor, no longer has such protection and must face trial.
Referring to section 12 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Pinheiro asserted, “We will invite the military if need be to produce the defendant (Mr. Bello) in court.”
However, Mr. Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed, countered that his client wasn’t in breach of any court order. Muhammed, also a SAN, cited a High Court order in Lokoja restraining the EFCC from arresting and detaining Bello.
He argued that an appeal on the matter was pending at the Abuja Court of Appeal, and Justice Nwite lacked jurisdiction due to the ongoing appeal. Muhammed declined to accept copies of the charges on behalf of Mr. Bello.
He extends that an appeal on the matter was pending at the Abuja Court of Appeal, and Justice Nwite lacked jurisdiction due to the ongoing appeal. Muhammed declined to accept copies of the charges on behalf of Mr. Bello.
