A federal high court in Maitama has extended the time for Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, to respond to the public summons issued against him.
On October 3, Maryanne Anenih, presiding judge, ordered Bello to appear before the court on October 24 for arraignment on a 16-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello was however absent at the court session on October 24.
The court had then adjourned to November 14 for Bello to respond to the summons.
However, the former governor did not show up in court on Thursday.
Jamiu Agoro, counsel for the EFCC, said the order of the court issued on October 3 had not elapsed since the commission effected service on October 18.
Consequently, Agoro prayed the court for an adjournment and an extension of time for Bello to appear.
“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November 2024, my lord,” he said.
The EFCC also told the court that Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, two officials of the Kogi state government, have been granted administrative bail.
Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants confirmed the administrative bail of their clients. They also did not oppose the request for adjournment and extension of time.
After listening to all counsels, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and extension of time.
The judge also ordered that hearing notice should be served on Bello at his last known address and should be pasted on conspicuous places around the court.
The charge against the defendants borders on alleged criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089, contrary to sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under section 312 of the same law.
