Abuja, Nigeria
Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, has apologised to Justice Emeka Nwite led by the Federal High Court, Abuja, for failing to appear in court for his trial.
The former governor through his counsel, J.B. Daudu, 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,” he said, according to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday.
Dauda who addressed the court, clarified that the defendant’s 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,” he said
“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.”
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) instituted against him by EFCC.
According to the antigraft agency, one of the charges includes “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.”
The passage outlines the legal proceedings involving an individual named Bello, who is facing charges related to fraudulent transactions amounting to billions of naira and foreign currency. These alleged transactions occurred between 2016 and 2023 and were carried out through various companies. Bello pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Bello’s defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, applied for bail, commending the prosecution’s professionalism, specifically acknowledging Dr. Kemi Pinheiro SAN for sharing the counter-affidavit and helping streamline the proceedings. Daudu requested that the court grant bail under reasonable terms.
In response, Dr. Pinheiro expressed respect for Daudu’s conduct and reaffirmed that the final decision on bail lies with the court, though the prosecution was cooperative in reaching an agreement.
Justice Nwite, in delivering the ruling, highlighted his independence in making the decision, asserting that neither party would influence his judgment. After considering the assurances provided by Daudu, the court granted Bello bail for ₦500 million, requiring two sureties with properties in the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Bello was instructed to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar, submit recent passport photos, and swear an affidavit of means. Until these conditions were met, Bello would remain in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kuje.
The trial was adjourned to February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, for further proceedings.
