Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been given a final chance to appear in court on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, to face trial over alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges.
This comes after Bello failed to attend previous court sessions scheduled for his arraignment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been pursuing Bello since April 17, 2024, when the court issued a warrant for his arrest. However, Bello’s evasive tactics have led to multiple postponements.
On April 17, 2024, EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Bello at his residence in Abuja, but the move was thwarted by policemen attached to the premises. Reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services (DSS), the operatives planned to forcefully arrest Bello.
However, Governor Usman Ododo, Bello’s successor, arrived at the scene, and Bello allegedly escaped in his vehicle, prompting security operatives to open fire.
A highly-placed source within the EFCC revealed that Bello’s appearance on Wednesday is his “only saving grace and last opportunity” to take his plea regarding the 19-count charges filed against him.
“The Commission is not perturbed about all his moves because charges have been drafted against him already, and his delay tactics about taking his plea could only worsen his case,” the source stated.
It is understood that the EFCC rejected Bello’s surrender offer last week due to concerns that he attempted to compromise the commission’s operational procedures.
Bello had on September 18 reported to the EFCC, accompanied by his successor, Governor Ahmed Ododo, and some dignitaries, in response to the commission’s invitation over alleged mismanagement of N80.2 billion, according to a statement from his media office.
“The EFCC is a highly professional agency with strict guidelines about arrest, bail, surrender of wanted suspects, investigation and prosecution.
“He (Bello) came carrying himself like an emperor in an environment where he is a suspect. Besides, the Commission reportedly stumbled on some intelligence regarding his motives for surrender, which could jeopardise his trial eventually.
“All these made the chairman, Ola Olukoyede to act swiftly and turned down his contrived surrender offer,” another source said of his visit to the commission.
