Yahaya Bello, the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, arrived at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday for his appeal over alleged N110 billion fraud.
Bello, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April 2024, reported at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday and was questioned.
Upon arrival at the courtroom, Justice Maryann Anenih, who was set to take the appeal of Bello and his co-defendants, abruptly left the courtroom due to the rowdy atmosphere.
In a surprising turn of events, Bello took charge of crowd control, directing his followers and sympathizers to vacate the courtroom and maintain order. His actions successfully calmed the situation without resistance.
Bello is facing 16-count charges, with Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, leading the Federal Government’s legal team, and Joseph Dauda, SAN, leading Bello’s defense team.
The EFCC had previously filed 19 charges against Bello and his nephews, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for allegedly laundering over N80 billion.
