The Court of Appeal has directed Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, to present himself for arraignment. This order follows ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning allegations of financial misconduct during Bello’s tenure.
The court also issued a restraining order, preventing Bello from taking any further legal actions in the matter until he has been properly arraigned. This decision effectively nullifies a previous judgment from the Kogi State High Court, which had been in Bello’s favor.
Bello’s location has been a subject of speculation since he reportedly evaded an EFCC attempt to arrest him at his Abuja residence several months ago. The current governor, Usman Ododo, was involved in obstructing the EFCC’s efforts to apprehend Bello during the raid.
The EFCC’s charges against Yahaya Bello revolve around the alleged misappropriation of over ₦80 billion during his two terms as governor of Kogi State. The court’s latest order underscores the seriousness of the charges and the necessity for Bello to face them in court.
