Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello apologized to Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday for not appearing earlier for his trial. Bello explained that his absence was due to his efforts to legally challenge the court’s authority to hear the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking through his lawyer, J. B. Daudu, SAN, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bello sought to clear any misunderstanding about his intentions. “I want to assure the court that the defendant had no intention of avoiding arraignment. As a two-term governor who rarely traveled during his tenure, he will fully cooperate with this trial. There’s no risk of him jumping bail,” Daudu said.
EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, confirmed that the commission did not oppose the bail request but recommended strict conditions to ensure Bello’s consistent attendance throughout the trial.
