Yahaya Bello's Thursday arraignment stalled, as EFCC could not provide him in court

Thursday arraignment of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was truncated as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could not present him before a Federal High Court in Abuja. 

Earlier, the embattled former governor was remanded by an FCT High Court on a 16-count charge valued at N110.4 billion, for the fresh arraignment in the court on a separate 19-count charge of money laundering valued at N82 billion.

However, the court could not list the matter in its course list for the day because of the inability to file the necessary papers, sources said.

Besides, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite had on October 30 fixed January 21, 2025, for the determination of the arraignment and the outcome of an appeal at the Supreme Court. 

As a result, lawyers and security personnel from EFCC, who had earlier taken positions around the vicinity of the court, were made to withdraw around midday. 

The case had suffered several adjournments following the continued absence of the ex-governor.