Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Friday has made a u-turn on his arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged fraud.
Bello ultimately consented to present himself at the court on June 13 on the corruption charges against levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
This comes after he loses bid to stop his fraud trial initiated by the anti-graft agency
Justice Emeka Nwite, on Friday, restated the order it made on April 17, which directed security agencies to arrest and produce him before it to answer to the 19-count charge that is pending against him.
The court said the former governor, by briefing lawyers to challenge its jurisdiction to try him, while he remained in hiding, showed that he “has no atom of respect and regard for the court.”
The former governor is facing a charge bordering on his alleged complicity in money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2billion.
Bello’s decision to make himself available in court was conveyed by his chief counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, to Justice Emeka Nwite shortly after the court dismissed the defendant’s plea for trial suspension.
Mohammed, a seasoned lawyer, asserted that Bello was not afraid of arraignment but safety of his life in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja.
He mentioned that his client’s life has been under constant threat in Abuja, prompting his choice to prioritize safety by going underground
The decision to comply with the court trial was influenced by Justice Nwite’s assurance that the EFCC, as a lawful entity, would adhere to the provisions of the law.
The Judge highlighted that Bello was not the first former governor to be merely invited by the anti-graft agency and would not be the last.
Furthermore, the Judge emphasized that the charges were founded on allegations yet to be substantiated, noting that the law presumes any accused individual innocent until proven otherwise
