Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja has insisted that the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, must come to court and answer to the fraud allegations preferred against him by the EFCC to the tune of 80 billion naira.
In a ruling, Justice Nwite cited section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, stating that Bello ought to make himself available first before filling any process, thereby upholding the application filed by the antigraft agency, that no application be heard in his absence.
The trial Judge held that since Bello has continued to disobey court orders, he would not be allowed to file any application or be heard, adding that even if an arrest warrant was illegally obtained, he should have appeared in court.
Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed is also praying the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to the same matter.
The counsel, therefore, said as the appellate court has already fixed May 20 to hear the case, it will be important the Federal High Court awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.
