Alleged Fraud: EFCC Grants Bail to Yahaya Bello’s Co-Defendants, Seeks Adjournment to Nov 27

The EFCC has granted bail to the co-defendants of Yahaya Bello in an alleged fraud case, while requesting a court adjournment to November 27 for further proceedings. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked for a postponement in the latest case against Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State. They noted that the 30-day period given by an earlier summons is still valid.

The commission has given administrative bail to Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, his co-defendants, and requested the court for additional time for Bello’s appearance.

During the continued hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro pointed out that the court order issued on October 3rd was still valid.

“Therefore, we believe it would be inappropriate to initiate proceedings while the 30-day period is still ongoing. After discussion, we’ve agreed to return on November 27th, 2024, my lord,” he informed the court.

He also noted that the originally scheduled date of November 20th was inconvenient for the prosecution lawyers.

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Aliyu Saiki, SAN, the attorney for the second defendant, confirmed that his client was granted administrative bail by the prosecution and raised no objection to the adjournment request. Similarly, ZE Abass, representing the third defendant, agreed with this decision.

The prosecution counsel additionally asked the court for permission to post the hearing notice at the last known address of the first defendant.

After listening to all the lawyers, the judge approved EFCC’s request for a postponement and ordered that a hearing notice be issued.

“I have reviewed the complainant’s request for an adjournment and the issuance of a hearing notice, along with the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is approved,” she stated.

Justice Anenih subsequently postponed the case to November 27th for arraignment.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants in a new 16-count charge filed against them by the EFCC.