Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, caused a disruption in the FCT High Court on Wednesday [today], leading to Justice Maryann Anenih angrily exiting the courtroom.
The judge, who was set to preside over the arraignment of Bello and two others, stood up abruptly and announced she would not return until order was restored in the courtroom.
After the judge had left, Bello, who had been sitting at the front, quickly rose and approached the crowd. He instructed his supporters to vacate their seats and leave the courtroom, helping to calm the situation. His followers complied without resistance, exiting the court one by one.
Bello ensured that the court’s order was followed by sitting at the courtroom entrance and overseeing his supporters’ orderly departure.
Kemi Pinheiro [SAN] is representing the Federal Government, while Joseph Bodunde Dauda [SAN] is leading the legal team for the former governor in connection with the 16 charges preferred against him.
The charges related to an alleged N110 billion fraud.
The case was heard before Justice Maryanne Anenih at the FCT High Court. Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who are listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.
Unlike Bello, the EFCC has granted administrative bail to Oricha and Hudu.
The former governor pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges.
