N3b fraud: Bello’s nephew, others remain in prison as court adjurns case to Wednesday

***Antigraft agency claims Rashida Bello is on the run

The hearing of the bail application by the defendants in the N3 billion fraud and money laundering allegation against Kogi governor’s wife, Rashida Yahaya Bello, his nephew, Ali Bello and two others could not advance on Monday, 13th February, 2023 as the case was adjourned to February 15, 2023
The Justice Obiora Egwuatu-led Federal High Court, Abuja had slated Monday, February 13, for hearing of the bail application filed by the defence counsel to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, and others.

Monday was fixed for ruling, following a mix-up in the filing of the court process by the presecution counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On Friday, the EFCC’s lawyer had countered the bail application by filing a counter counter-affidavit, but the judge was yet to get the court papers as of Monday when the matter came up, hence, he couldn’t proceed.

Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji on Monday acknowledged receipt of the prosecution’s objection to his client’s bail request.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency prosecuting the money laundering case had claimed that governor Yahaya Bello’s wife who is a defendant in the matter has been on the run.

As other defendants have been detained, the prosecuting lawyer, Kabiru Hussain told the Court that the counter-affidavit was mistakenly taken to a different court instead of Justice Egwuatu’s court.

Mrs Rashida Bello (now at large), Ali Bello, Kogi governor’s nephew, Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat were arraigned in a Federal High Court Abuja for money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira).