In a surprising turn of events, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello took matters into his own hands yesterday at the FCT High Court. As Justice Maryann Anenih stormed out of the courtroom, frustrated with the rowdy crowd, Bello sprang into action.
The former governor, who was scheduled to be arraigned on 16-count charges, stood up and addressed his supporters, directing them to vacate the courtroom and restore order.
To the surprise of onlookers, the crowd obeyed Bello’s instructions without resistance, filing out of the courtroom one by one.
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Bello then took it upon himself to ensure that his supporters complied with the court’s orders, positioning himself at the entrance of the courtroom to monitor the situation. This dramatic display of leadership and crowd control momentarily shifted attention away from the serious charges Bello faces.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Bello of misappropriating N110.4 billion in public funds during his tenure as governor ¹. He is also facing charges related to money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion ².
As the courtroom drama unfolded, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, led the Federal Government’s legal team, while Joseph Dauda, SAN, represented Bello’s interests. The outcome of this high-profile case remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Yahaya Bello’s ability to command a crowd is undeniable.