BREAKING: Abuja Court Orders EFCC To Serve Yahaya Bello N80 Billion Fraud Charges
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the charges of alleged N80 billion fraud against former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, to be served through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.
Naija News reports that the ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite in response to an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for substituted service on Bello.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead counsel to the anti-graft agency, Kemi Pinheiro, argued the application.
Despite initial resistance from Bello’s lawyer, Mohammed, Justice Nwite compelled him to accept the charges and proof of evidence.
The Judge also rejected the plea for a junior lawyer in Mohammed’s team to accept the charges on behalf of the former governor. Although Yahaya Bello was not present in court, he was represented by his lawyer during the proceedings.
Last week, Justice Nwite issued a bench warrant against Bello at the request of the EFCC.
Subsequently, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted due to his continuous absence in court and avoidance of the criminal charges against him.
Kogi Election Tribunal Summons CBN Governor, Cardoso
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before it.
The tribunal said Cardoso should appear before it on Tuesday, 23rd April, to provide clarification on the involvement of the central bank in the state’s election held on November 11, 2023.
Naija News understands the tribunal summoned the CBN Governor based on an application on Monday by Alex Izinyon (SAN), the legal representative of the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo.
After the CBN governor or any bank officer failed to comply with the tribunal’s subpoena issued on April 18, Izinyon decided to transfer the application.
He mentioned being informed that the CBN management stated in a letter to the tribunal that they would not be able to attend until Friday, April 26, due to their subpoena application.
He mentioned that although Ododo had planned to present his witnesses within five days, it is necessary to attend to the subpoena prior to the governor moving forward.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the election, Muritala Ajaka, is challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ‘s declaration of Ododo as the winner of the Kogi State governorship election.
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