N82 Billion Fraud: Yahaya Bello Seeks Transfer Of EFCC Case To Kogi

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello requests court transfer of EFCC fraud case to Kogi, citing jurisdiction, amid absence and controversy.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, urged the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday to transfer his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Kogi State.

Represented by his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, Bello argued that since the alleged offence occurred during his tenure as governor of Kogi State, it is appropriate for the case to be heard there, as reported by TVC.

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The EFCC had arraigned the former governor on charges of alleged N82 billion fraud before the court led by Justice Nwite.

Bello had previously failed to appear in court on four occasions, citing reasons such as bias against him by the anti-graft agency.

Following an attempted arrest by EFCC operatives at his Abuja residence, Bello’s current whereabouts remain unknown.

Meanwhile, the Kogi Youth Leaders Forum (KYLF) criticized a northern group for accusing Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo of protecting his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, from prosecution.

KYLF described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, urging that Ododo be allowed to focus on his duties as governor.

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In a statement on Tuesday, KYLF convener, Benjamin Oguche, wondered why Yahaya Bello’s trial by the EFCC has become a tool for political opportunists to exploit for their gain.

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