Yahaya Bello dodges court appearance, wants order of arrest revoked
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello says he is willing and ready to appear at the Abuja Federal High Court to clear his name over the 19-count indictment filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but is too scared of being arrested by the sleaze buster.
A member of Bello’s legal team, Adeola Adedipe, SAN explained in court on Tuesday his client would have shown up but was worried about being taken into custody.
Bello made the claim despite assurance by Cubana Chief Priest (real name Pascal Okechukwu), an EFCC cell alumni, that the agency is hospitable to invitees and provides them with decent facilities.
“No need to run when @officialefcc invites you, just pull up and answer them, they don’t bite, they don’t beat, they only investigate and prosecute.
“For their cell, toilet & bathroom dey, even breakfast, lunch & dinner is served so tell me why are you running,” he posted on X (Twitter) last week after a court granted him a N10 million bail after he was detained overnight by the EFCC.
Cubana Chief Priest is being prosecuted by the EFCC for spraying naira, legally termed naira abuse.
But, as per Bello, his lawyer insisted “the defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head.”
Adedipe asked the court to revoke its exparte order of arrest issued against Bello, arguing the order had not been served on his client as required by law at the time the warrant of arrest was made.
“As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning.
“A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” Adedipe stressed.
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Related articles:
NBA slams “fake lawyers” who protested over Yahaya Bello, EFCC tango
Yahaya Bello and a complicit judiciary
We’re not hiding Yahaya Bello — Ex-Kogi gov Audu’s family
Police arrest Yahaya Bello’s female ADC as Kogi govt denies aiding his escape from EFCC
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