Court Summons ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged N110bn fraud

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has summoned former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear before it on October 24 to face a fresh 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Maryanne Anenih gave the order in a short ruling on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

The EFCC has charged Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—with criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion.

In the suit marked: CR/7781/2024, Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu are been accused of spending over N110 billion of public funds to acquire several properties in Abuja and Dubai.

The suit dated September 24 but filed on September 25, by the anti-graft lawyer, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), accused the defendants of criminal breach of trust, an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

Count one of the charge read: That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometime in 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110,446,470,089.00 (one hundred and ten billion, four hundred and forty six million, four hundred and seventy thousand, eighty nine naira) entrusted to you.”

In count two, they were alleged to have sometime in 2023, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (nine hundred and fifty million naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

In count 11, the defendants were alleged to have used over five million dirhams to acquire a property in Khalifa, Municipality, Dubai.

Count 14 read: That you Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 (five hundred and seventy thousand, three hundred and thirty United State dollars) to account No. 4266644272 domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

Count 15 claimed that the defendants sometime in 2021, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 (five hundred and fifty six thousand, two hundred and sixty five United State dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the EFCC claimed that it has not been able to serve the fresh charge on the former governor and prayed the court to issue a public summons against Bello.

In a short ruling, the court granted the request and ordered the EFCC to publish the public summons in a widely circulating newspaper.

She also ordered the EFCC to paste copies of the public summons on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places in court premises.

In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih issued a public summons, compelling Bello to voluntarily appear before the court on the adjourned date for his arraignment.

The court also directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulating national newspaper and to post copies at Bello’s last known address and in prominent locations within the court premises.

Meanwhile, the former governor in count 16 was alleged to have sometime between 2017 and 2018, in Abuja, had under his control the total sum of N677,848,000 (six hundred and seventy seven million, eight hundred and forty eight thousand naira) unlawfully obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.

In the last five months, the commission had attempted to arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court, Abuja, on an alleged money laundering charge to the tune of over N80 billion, but has not been successful.