Yahaya Bello Explains Why He Fended Off EFCC For So Long

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, sought to explain his earlier failure to attend his trial before Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday.

Bello told the court that his absence was not intentional but due to his decision to challenge the court’s jurisdiction over the case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He emphasized that his actions were part of legal proceedings to defend himself against the charges.

Bello’s lawyer, J.B. Daudu, SAN, who is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, addressed the court, stating, “I want to plead and to correct any impression that may have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship for his arraignment.” He explained that the former governor had only directed his legal team to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which he argued was not an unlawful act. “What he did, which is not an anathema in law, was to direct his counsel to challenge the jurisdiction of the court,” Daudu clarified.

Further, Daudu expressed that Bello’s actions were in good faith, stating, “I was not a willful disrespect. He acted with the belief that he was trying to defend himself as best as possible.” The lawyer assured the court that Bello holds it in high regard, adding, “He holds this court and, by extension, my lord, in very high esteem.” He also noted that the issue had been resolved and apologized for any confusion it caused, saying, “What transpired then was an episode that could have been avoided. It has come and passed, and we mean no harm to this court. Things are clearer now.”

Daudu further assured the court that Bello would attend all future trial sessions, stating, “The defendant, being a two-term governor of Kogi State who travelled only twice throughout his tenure, I can assure my lord that he will be available for his trial. There should be no apprehension that he will jump bail.”

The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, did not oppose the defendant’s request for bail but recommended that the court impose conditions to ensure his presence at the trial.

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