The Federal High Court, Abuja Justice, Emeka Nwite has ordered that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC to serve the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello charges on alleged N80 billion fraud through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.
Recall that EFCC has last week made a failed attempt at arresting the embattled former Governor, who has gone into hiding.
But on Tuesday, while delivering a ruling on the application filed by EFCC, the Judge issued the ordered Commission to serve Bello’s lawyer the court order.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed a substituted service charge on Bello.
The case was presented by the lead counsel to the anti-graft agency, Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Bello’s lawyer Abdulwahab Mohammed, however, declined to accept the charges and proof of evidence. The lawyer was compelled to do so by Justice Nwite.
The Judge rejected the plea by the senior lawyer that a junior lawyer in his team, AI Musa be the one to accept the charges on behalf of the former Governor.
Like in the last week proceedings, Yahaya Bello was again on Tuesday not in court. He was, however, represented by his lawyer.
Recall that last week, Justice Nwite issued a bench warrant against Bello. This was following an application to that effect by EFCC.
Following the failed attempt by EFCC to arrest Bello, the Commission subsequently declared the former Governor wanted. The Commission stated that Bello by his persistent absence in court, is evading the criminal charges on him.
