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Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has finally agreed to appear in court to face trial on 13th of June at the Federal high court in Abuja, a date now fixed by the Court for his arraignment.
Counsel to the former governor gave the assurance after Bello failed to show up in court again to be arraigned on 19-count charge bordering on money laundering, a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Abdulwahab Mohammed who informed the trial judge that Yahaya Bello’s whereabouts are unknown to him, said he had stayed away from the authorities because he feared for his life.
The counsel therefore noted that his client will make himself available to clear his name after he got the assurance of the court that no harm will come to him.
Mohammed had however clarified that Bello will appear in court and not in EFCC custody.
The judge had earlier dismissed an application by Abdulwahab Mohammed, asking for stay of proceedings in the case on account of a pending matter at the Appeal Court. This is in respect of the case where an order was made stopping the contempt proceedings against the EFCC at the High Court in Lokoja.
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, while ruling on an application by the counsel of the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, said Yahaya Bello will not get the attention of the Court until he obeys a subsisting order for him to appear. The judge said an order of Court must first be obeyed even if done in error.
Godfrey Eshiemoghie
– Arise News.
