The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested an adjournment in the new case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, citing that the 30-day window for the summons issued previously is still active.
The EFCC has granted administrative bail to Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and sought an extension of time for Bello to appear before the court.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro explained that the order issued by the court on October 3rd had not yet expired. “Given that the 30-day window is still running, we believe it would not be appropriate to proceed with the case at this time. We have agreed to return on November 27th, 2024,” Agoro told the court.
Agoro also mentioned that the initially set date of November 20th was not convenient for the prosecution team. Counsel for the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail and expressed no objections to the adjournment request. The third defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, similarly agreed.
The prosecution also requested that the court allow the hearing notice to be pasted at the last known address of the first defendant, Yahaya Bello. After considering the submissions from all parties, Justice Anenih granted the EFCC’s application for an adjournment and the issuance of the hearing notice.
“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and the issuance of hearing notice, as well as the submissions from the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” Justice Anenih stated.
The case was adjourned to November 27th, 2024, for arraignment. The former governor, along with his co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are facing a fresh 16-count charge brought against them by the EFCC, with Bello as the 1st defendant, Oricha as the 2nd defendant, and Hudu as the 3rd defendant.
