Yahaya Bello, alongside two others, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were accused of laundering over N110bn
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is being arraigned at an Abuja High Court today has asked his supporters to exercise restraint after the judge assigned to his case, Justice Maryann Anenih left the court in anger.
The judge, who was supposed to take the plea of the former governor and two others, abruptly rose and announced she would not return until there was sanity in the courtroom.
Shortly after she left, Yahaya Bello, who had been sitting in the front of the courtroom, jumped up and moved toward the surging crowd.
He immediately directed his followers and sympathisers to vacate their seats and leave the courtroom.
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His actions helped douse the tension, as his followers left the courtroom one after another without resistance.
To further ensure order, the former governor sat at the entrance of the courtroom and made sure none of his followers disobeyed the court’s order.
Bello, alongside two others, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were accused of laundering over N110bn.
The offences, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said, were contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963 and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.