The former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been publicly ordered not appear in court by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja.
Justice Maryann E. Anenih had issued the summon on October 3, 2024, and directed that the summon on Yahaya Bello who has declined court appearances in another matter involving him and the EFCC be public summoned through publication of the court summon in the newspapers, pasting at his last known address and pasting at a prominent place within the court premises.
The summons reads in part;
“You are hereby summoned to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court of Justice (High Court No. 3) sitting at Maitama on the 14th day of November 2024 at the hour of 9.00am to answer the said complainant.”
The EFCC has accused Yahaya Bello of violating Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, which deals with criminal breach of trust and is punishable under Section 312.
EFCC, through its counsel, DR. Kemi Pinheiro SAN had applied to Justice Emeka Nwite for bench warrant to compel the appearance of the former Kogi governor in court with the respect to the allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement.
The court summons Hammett was punished in some national newspapers today in keeping with the order of Justice Annenih.