Appeal Court orders Ex- Kogi Gov. White Lion Yahaya Bello to surrender himself for arraignment, trial
The Court of Appeal has ordered former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, known as White Lion, to surrender for trial over alleged theft of N82 billion during his tenure. The court also overturned a previous ruling that prevented his trial outside Kogi State.
The Court of Appeal has ordered the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello a.k.a White Lion to surrender himself for arraignment and subsequent trial over alleged theft of N82 billion while serving as governor for eight years.
The appellate court which gave the order on Tuesday, also, set aside, the judgment of the Kogi State High Court, stopping Bello from being tried outside the state.
The Court further restrained Bello from taking further steps in the charge except he he surrendered himself for arraignment.
Bello’s whereabouts had remained unknown since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, attempted to arrest him during a raid on his residence in Abuja, a few months ago as his successor,
Governor Usman Ododo scuttled the efforts of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest him.
Bello had been at large while battling to stop the charges against him bordering on his actions as governor between 2015-2023, even as he has failed to appear in court, as well as evaded arrest while seeking court approval to compel EFCC to move the case to Lokoja the Kogi State capital for trial.
However, Tuesday’s ruling by the appellate court has put paid to his moves through the courts to stall the case through technicalities.
Bello’s whereabouts had remained unknown since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, attempted to arrest him during a raid on his residence in Abuja, a few months ago as his successor,
Governor Usman Ododo scuttled the efforts of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest him.
Bello had been at large while battling to stop the charges against him bordering on his actions as governor between 2015-2023, even as he has failed to appear in court, as well as evaded arrest while seeking court approval to compel EFCC to move the case to Lokoja the Kogi State capital for trial.
However, Tuesday’s ruling by the appellate court has put paid to his moves through the courts to stall the case through technicalities.
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