Alleged ₦80.2bn Fraud: Why Yahaya Bello Was Absent From Past Court Trials — EFCC

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Saturday, December 14th, 2024

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained the reason for the absence of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello from past court trials.

Quoting Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN) during trial on Friday, a statement by EFCC’s Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said his absence was “a procedural move”.

The former Kogi State governor’s absence from court in the past had stalled trial proceedings, warranting postponement of sittings.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering, contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

According to the EFCC’s statement, the former governor was said to have apologised through his counsel before he was granted bail to the tune of N500 million.

The statement read “A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on December 13, 2024, apologised to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for failing to appear in court for his trial. Bello, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN, expressed regret for any perceived disrespect toward the court.

“ “My lord, I am apologising on behalf of the defendant for any perceived disrespect toward the court in the past,” EFCC quoted Bello’s counsel to have said.

Addressing the court, Bello’s counsel clarified that his earlier actions were not intended as contempt.

“ “For the record, my lord, I wish to apologise for any impression that the defendant refused to appear before your Lordship. He directed his former counsel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which led the matter up to the Supreme Court. This was not an act of disrespect but a procedural move,” EFCC quoted Bello’s counsel to have told the court on Friday.

Continuing, Dauda stressed that, “The defendant, a two-term governor of Kogi State, holds the court in the highest regard. I assure this honourable court that he will appear for trial on all adjourned dates, barring sickness or death.”

One of the charges against Bello read: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in February 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of ₦80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty-Nine Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.”

Other charges include alleged fraudulent transactions involving billions of naira and foreign currency, carried out between 2016 and 2023 through various companies.

Bello pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Daudu sought bail for his client, applauding the understanding of the prosecution.

“I must express profound respect for my learned silk for the prosecution, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro SAN. He shared a soft copy of the counter-affidavit before today’s proceedings, and we agreed to avoid unnecessary arguments. We urge the court to grant bail on reasonable terms and conditions,” he said.

Responding, Pinheiro praised the defence counsel’s professionalism.

“I must acknowledge the integrity of J.B. Daudu SAN. We have worked to streamline the proceedings and reduce the burden on your Lordship. The EFCC is a professional, not a persecutorial body. However, the decision to grant bail and its conditions are entirely at the court’s discretion,” he said.

Pinheiro also noted the defendant’s apology, adding, “Let it be on record that the defendant has apologised through his counsel.”

Justice Nwite, while delivering his ruling, emphasised his independence.

“Neither party will guide me on what to do. However, given the assurances by J.B. Daudu SAN, I am inclined to grant bail. But for these assurances, my ruling might have been otherwise,” the judge stated.

The court granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum.

While the sureties must own properties within the court’s jurisdiction, Bello is also required to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, submit recent passport photographs, and swear an affidavit of means.

Until the bail conditions are met, Justice Nwite ordered that Bello be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kuje and adjourned the trial to February 24 and 28, as well as March 6 and 7, 2025, for continuation.