The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the charges of alleged ₦80 billion fraud against former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, to be served through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite in response to an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for substituted service on Bello.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead counsel to the anti-graft agency, Kemi Pinheiro, argued the application.
Despite initial resistance from Bello’s lawyer, Mohammed, Justice Nwite compelled him to accept the charges and proof of evidence.
The Judge also rejected the plea for a junior lawyer in Mohammed’s team to accept the charges on behalf of the former governor. Although Yahaya Bello was not present in court, he was represented by his lawyer during the proceedings.
Last week, Justice Nwite issued a bench warrant against Bello at the request of the EFCC.
Subsequently, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted due to his continuous absence in court and avoidance of the criminal charges against him.
