THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified the reasons for former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello’s absence from previous court hearings.
In a statement from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, citing Bello’s lawyer, J.B. Daudu (SAN), it was noted that his absence was “a procedural move.” This absence has caused delays in the trial proceedings, leading to postponements.
Bello faces a 19-count indictment related to criminal breach of trust and money laundering, in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
The EFCC reported that Bello apologised through his lawyer before being granted bail set at N500 million.
The statement indicated that on December 13, 2024, he expressed regret to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja for missing his trial.
Bello’s counsel stated, “My lord, I am apologising on behalf of the defendant for any perceived disrespect toward the court in the past.”
His lawyer further clarified that the previous absences were not meant to show contempt.
“For the record, my lord, I wish to apologize 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 to the Supreme Court. This was not an act of disrespect but a procedural move,” he explained.
He assured the court that Bello, a two-term governor of Kogi State, holds the court in high esteem and will attend all future trial dates, barring illness or death.
One of the charges against Bello states: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in February 2016 in Abuja, conspired to convert ₦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), knowing it to be proceeds of unlawful activity, thus committing an offence under Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.”
Additional charges involve alleged fraudulent transactions totaling billions of naira and foreign currency from 2016 to 2023 through various companies. Bello has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Daudu requested bail for his client and commended the prosecution’s cooperation.
“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 stated.
In response, Pinheiro lauded the defense counsel’s professionalism, noting, “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 also acknowledged the defendant’s apology, stating, “Let it be on record that the defendant has apologised through his counsel.”
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, emphasised his independence, stating, “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 court granted Bello bail in the amount of N500 million, requiring two sureties of equal value who own property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Bello must also deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar, submit recent passport photographs, and swear an affidavit of means.
Until these bail conditions are fulfilled, Justice Nwite ordered Bello to 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.
