Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello steps in to calm a chaotic courtroom after the judge walks out, restoring order during a legal proceeding.
Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State who was scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, assumed responsibility for managing the courtroom crowd after Justice Maryann Anenih exited.
Justice Anenih, who had arrived to accept the pleas of the former governor and his co-defendants, suddenly stood up and declared that he would not return until order was restored in the courtroom.
Moments after the judge exited, Bello rose from his seat at the front of the courtroom and headed towards the growing crowd.
He promptly instructed his followers and supporters to stand up and exit the courtroom.
His actions effortlessly eased the tension, prompting his followers to leave the courtroom one by one.
To maintain order in the courtroom, the former governor positioned himself at the entrance to ensure that none of his followers violated the court’s directive.
During this time, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN is heading the Federal Government’s legal team for the arraignment, whereas Joseph Dauda, SAN is in charge of leading the former governor’s defense against the 16-count charges.
In April 2024, Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC had brought 19 charges against Bello and his nephews, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, accusing them of laundering more than N80 billion.
