Usama OLAGUNJUYahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has been summoned to appear before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over serious allegations of corruption.
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accuses Bello of criminal breach of trust and possessing unlawfully acquired property, with the alleged offenses taking place between 2016 and 2023.
Specifically, Bello is charged with violating Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, which deals with criminal breach of trust, and Section 319A for allegedly possessing property suspected to have been obtained through unlawful means.
The summons, issued by Justice Maryann E. Anenih and dated October 3, 2024, orders Bello to appear before High Court No. 3, Maitama, on November 14, 2024, at 9 am.
This development comes after several previous efforts to bring Bello to court, including a ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite in May that the former governor must physically appear in court to face the charges.
The EFCC alleges that Bello and two other individuals, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, mismanaged a total sum of N110.4 billion during Bello’s tenure as governor.
The anti-graft agency has been pursuing the case, claiming that the funds in question were misappropriated under the former governor’s watch.
