Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is set to face trial on June 13 at the Federal High Court in Abuja after failing to appear in court for arraignment on charges of money laundering. Bello’s counsel assured the court that his client would present himself for trial, citing concerns for his safety as the reason for his absence.
Abdulwahab Mohammed, representing Bello, stated that his client’s whereabouts were unknown to him but emphasized Bello’s willingness to clear his name once assured of his safety by the court. Mohammed clarified that Bello would appear in court and not in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings filed by Mohammed, citing a pending matter at the Appeal Court related to the case. The judge ruled that Bello must obey the court’s order to appear, regardless of any pending issues.
The judge’s decision underscores the importance of obeying court orders, emphasizing that even if issued in error, they must be followed. Bello’s agreement to appear in court signifies a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against him.
