- Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has taken Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Supreme Court after being declared wanted by the agency
- Bello, who initially faced a 19-count charge, was confronted with a fresh 16-count charge of N110.4 billion, alongside two state officials
- TheRadar compiled reactions from Nigerians below
Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has sparked public reactions after taking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Supreme Court over his recent declaration as wanted.
Bello, others face fresh 16-count charge amounting N110.4 billion
Bello, who previously faced a 19-count charge of alleged N80.2 billion money laundering scheme is now also facing a fresh 16-count charge of N110.4 billion alongside two Kogi State officials, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.
Recall that Bello had earlier filed several motions challenging the authority of the EFCC. However, the Court of Appeal ruled that no court could obstruct the statutory duties of a law enforcement agency and permitted the EFCC to prosecute Bello.
Following this, Bello was set to appear in court on Wednesday, September 25, but his defense team, led by Mr. A. M. Adoyi, notified Justice Emeka Nwite of an ongoing appeal before the Supreme Court.
The defense argued that the case should not proceed until the Supreme Court had delivered its ruling.
Court adjourns Bello’s trial
“My lord, the appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. We believe that the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeals, before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” Bello’s lawyer pleaded.
As a result, the trial was adjourned to October 30.
Subsequently, Nigerians have reacted strongly to the news of Bello challenging the EFCC in court, with many expressing surprise that despite the weight of the allegations, he continues to push back against the agency.
Nigerians react as Bello drags EFCC to Supreme court
TheRadar compiled reactions from the public below:
“He sabi people pass them. No one wants to loose their job. Nigeria is all about connections,” Raysoften mentioned.
“HUNTER BECOMES HUNTED,”
Chibest Joachim said.
“EFCC is a disgrace. A politician stole state money and still have the guts to drag you to court?” Irunnia mentioned.
“No level 😂 ,” Adetunji Giwa stated.
“Well, if I were him, I would do same after hearing last night that efcc takes bribes to suppress a criminal charge. I mean, who wouldn’t? You can’t be corrupt and trying to arrest me for being corrupt. This country is far gone,” Iyke reacted.
“You lose respect from who should normally honor you when your hands are not clean; that is the situation EFCC finds themselves in. If not, what guts would Yahaya Bello have to drag them to court, someone that everyone knows he embezzled and mismanaged billions when he was in power?”
Stretch ™ expressed.
“This audacity speaks volume of the Supreme Court and the cases that is taken there,” David Eboh reacted.
“Bushmeat don dey pursue hunter,” Lenin Park stated.
“Yahaha Bello has successfully revealed EFCC to be a nest of clowns😂😂😂,” Adewale ‘Damilare said.
“This is what we call "no be who 1st call police dey win case"😂😂😂. Someone said; if they explain Nigeria to you and you understand it, that means the person didn't explain it well,” Onyeocha Emeka mentioned.
“I’m not schooled at all… no be Nigeria again ? Someone that EFCC is behaving like they’re afraid of! A common past governor who obviously looted the state like it’s his private company ! If na Pablo now them go done punch him eye while arresting him they carry gun and jump for bus like Rambo ! But it’s Yahaya Bello… all of a sudden he’s even the one suing EFCC! Such clownery,” Oluwafemi stated.
“Aura for aura 😂😂 Make Nigeria just open YouTube channel,” Blvck Marshal reacted.
#EndBadGovernance Protests: Yahaya Bello dismisses supporting nationwide demonstration
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Yahaya Bello, while facing allegations of misappropriation of public funds, said he was not involved with the #Endbadgovernance protests.
According to the report, Bello said his enemies were trying to frame him up, adding that he had always been a supporter of Tinubu.