A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has summoned Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, to appear on October 24 for arraignment over 16 fresh charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is accused of criminal breach of trust totaling N110.4 billion. This development follows an earlier arrest warrant issued on April 17 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello faces 19 counts of money laundering and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion.
Justice Maryanne Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the public summons in a widely circulating newspaper and paste copies on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places on the court premises, after the EFCC reported difficulty serving Bello with the charge filed on September 24.
Bello’s absence on Thursday stalled his scheduled arraignment, but with the new summons, he is expected to appear on October 24.