The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a public summons for Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, to respond to a new 16-count charge against him. This ruling was made by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court has mandated that the EFCC publish the public summons in a widely circulated newspaper and also display copies at Bello’s last known address and within the court premises. The summons requires Bello to appear in court for his arraignment on October 24, along with two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges filed on September 24, which allege a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion. The absence of Bello from previous proceedings has led to delays in the arraignment process.