EFCC Grants Bail to Co-Defendants of Ex-Gov Bello in N110.4bn Fraud Case.

EFCC Grants Bail to Co-Defendants of Ex-Gov Bello in N110.4bn Fraud Case.

By Fly Cable News

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to two co-defendants of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in connection with the N110.4 billion fraud charges.

The two individuals, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were released pending their arraignment, as the EFCC confirmed during a court session in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, on Thursday.

The court proceedings were delayed as neither Bello nor his legal team appeared in court. EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro informed the court that the agency had complied with a public summons issued for Bello to appear and face the charges.

The summons, which has a 30-day validity period, is set to expire on November 17, and the EFCC requested an adjournment to allow the former governor to respond.

Should Bello fail to appear by the expiration date, the EFCC plans to take further legal action. The court granted the application, and the matter was adjourned to November 27, with instructions to serve Bello with a fresh hearing notice at his last known address in Abuja.

Bello, along with his co-defendants, faces charges related to alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully acquired assets. The EFCC claims that the former governor used state funds to purchase multiple properties in Abuja, Dubai, and other locations, including high-value real estate and luxury assets.

The total value of the allegedly misappropriated funds is pegged at N110.4 billion.