- The youths barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road which caused gridlock on the highway
Some youths in Kogi State on Tuesday protested against plans by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
The youths, who gathered in their numbers, barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road which caused gridlock on the highway.
They protested under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice, accusing the anti-graft agency of witch-hunting and victimizing the former Governor.
They were seen carrying banners with various inscriptions, “Nigeria is not a banana republic”, “President Tinubu, call EFCC to order”, “EFCC stop witch hunting”, “Yahaya Bello remains a responsible citizen”, “EFCC obey court order now” and many more.
The groups called for caution and adherence to the rule of law on Bello’s trial.
Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello, has said he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
However, Bello claims he is afraid of getting arrested.
Although the former governor was not present for his arraignment on Tuesday, he briefed his team of lawyers who addressed the court.
One of the lawyers in his legal team, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that Bello would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested.
“The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe said.
Consequently, he prayed the court to set aside the ex parte order of arrest it earlier issued against Bello.
Adedipe noted that it was only at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday that the court okayed substituted service of the charge on the defendant, through his lawyer.
“As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning.
“A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” he added.
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