The running battle between the immediate past Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), keeps taking turns for the unpredictable as a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons against the ex-governor
By Emma Ogbuehi
The running battle between the immediate past Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), keeps taking turns for the unpredictable as a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons against the ex-governor to attend court and answer to a fresh 16-count pending against him.
Justice Maryanne Anenih issued the order for public summons in a ruling on Thursday, following an application by the EFCC.
By the summons, Bello is to attend court on October 24 in response to the summons and for his arraignment along with two other defendants.
Justice Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the public summons in a widely circulating newspaper
She also ordered the EFCC to past copies of the public summons on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places in court premises.
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The EFCC had claimed that it has been unable to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24 and in which the ex-governor and two others were charged with criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4billion.
The other two defendants in the charge are Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Bello’s absence stalled the arraignment earlier scheduled for Thursday.
On Wednesday, September 18, operatives of the EFCC made an attempt at arresting Bello hours after confusion over his reported visit at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency earlier in the day.
The EFCC officers reportedly barricaded the premises of the Abuja lodge of the Kogi Governor similar to its first futile attempt to arrest the ex-governor early this year.
Like in the first failed attempt to arrest Yahaya Bello, security officials attached to the lodge allegedly refused the EFCC officials access into the building, resulting in gunshots.
In reaction, aides to the former governor raised an alarm warning that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything happened to him.
A statement from the Yahaya Bello media office signed by Ohiare Michael, Director, Media said the action of the EFCC was condemnable.
Titled “Despite voluntary visit, EFCC officials surround Kogi Government Lodge, Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello, fire gunshots, reads:
“It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no question to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.
“We will keep Nigerians posted.”
