Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has finally arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja to face corruption charges after months of evading legal proceedings.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) produced Bello for arraignment on allegations of diverting N110 billion from state government coffers.
Bello was driven into the court premises in an EFCC vehicle at approximately 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday, marking his first court appearance after extensive efforts to avoid trial.
The former governor spent the night in EFCC custody following his surrender to the anti-corruption agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Bello’s detention, stating that he was being thoroughly investigated by the agency’s operatives.
The court trial, presided over by Judge Maryanne Anenih, had previously fixed this date for Bello’s arraignment after he repeatedly shunned court summonses.
Prior to his surrender, the EFCC had made multiple unsuccessful attempts to arrest Bello, including a dramatic encounter on September 18 when he arrived at the agency’s office with his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
That incident resulted in a hours-long confrontation between EFCC operatives and the governor’s security details, during which Bello managed to escape in Ododo’s convoy.
Bello faces serious corruption charges in two courts, including a money laundering case at the Federal High Court in Abuja involving N80 billion.
The EFCC had declared him wanted in April, highlighting the extensive legal challenges surrounding his alleged financial misconduct during his eight-year tenure as Kogi State governor.
