Court Postpones Trial of Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello in Absentia to January 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed its decision on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request to prosecute former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in his absence. The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, set January 21, 2025, as the new date for the ruling. The EFCC is seeking to try Bello for alleged involvement in money laundering and other financial crimes after he failed to respond to multiple court summons.

Bello is accused of laundering approximately N80 billion, and the EFCC has filed charges against him. During Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecution argued that the former governor’s consistent failure to appear in court warranted proceeding with the trial in his absence. Justice Nwite adjourned the matter after hearing both parties’ arguments on the EFCC’s application.

In a related case, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, previously dismissed oral bail requests from Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, co-defendants with Bello in a N110.4 billion fraud case. Justice Maryanne Anenih rejected the oral bail applications, emphasizing the need for formal written applications, in line with proper legal procedures.

The EFCC had originally filed 19 charges related to money laundering offenses amounting to N80.2 billion against Bello, his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu. However, in new charges dated September 25, the total alleged offenses increased to N110.4 billion. The EFCC had also complied with the court’s order to publicly summon Yahaya Bello, publishing the notice in a national newspaper after he repeatedly failed to attend his scheduled court appearances.