Alleged N80bn fraud: Appeal Court orders Yahaya Bello to stand trial

The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday issued a directive for Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, to appear for trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initiated proceedings in April to arraign Bello at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

This action came in response to allegations of his involvement in an N80 billion fraud. Bello is facing a 19-count indictment for money laundering, along with three other defendants: Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu.

The EFCC secured a warrant of arrest and an enrolment order from the court on April 17 to facilitate this process. In reaction, Bello sought to prevent his arrest by filing a suit with the Kogi State High Court.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling, delivered by Justice Ken Amadi, was in response to an appeal by the EFCC against a prior judgement from Justice Isah Abdullahi Jamil of the lower court. 

The earlier ruling had granted an injunction preventing the EFCC from arresting Bello.

Justice Amadi criticised the lower court’s decision, describing it as scandalous and asserting that it was aimed at shielding Bello from facing criminal charges.

The appellate court deemed the EFCC’s appeal valid and allowed it, thereby lifting the previous restraining order and permitting the trial to proceed.