Money Laundering Allegation: Yahaya Bello absent as court adjourns case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case against Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi; Alli Bello, Chief of Staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, to April 23.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the suspects diverted about N100 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

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Responding to the EFCC allegations, the Kogi government said funds belonging to the state were not missing during the administration of the former governor.

The former Kogi governor was not present in the courtroom on Thursday.

While Kemi Pinhero, EFCC counsel, said Bello’s absence from the court was a strategy, Abdulwahab Muhammed, Bello’s lawyer, said a court had since February 9 given a restraining order on the arrest and prosecution of the former governor.

The lawyer also asked the court to vacate the arrest warrant granted against Bello because the court was “misled”.

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But EFCC counsel argued that section 287 of the constitution allows security agencies, including the military, to produce a person before a court, adding that nobody is above the court or the rule of law.

After hearing arguments from the counsel, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, adjourned further hearing to April 23.