Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have taken over security arrangements at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on alleged fraud charges resumes today.
The operatives, wielding various brands of guns, blocked one of the major roads leading to the court complex with one of their vehicles.
Apart from guns, dogs and other weapons have been fully deployed at the court entrance by the security men wearing outfits with the inscription “EFCC.”
Lawyers and litigants seeking entry to the court to transact various businesses are being thoroughly frisked before being allowed in or turned back at the court gate.
At the time of this report, lawyers who felt uncomfortable with the intimidating presence of the EFCC operatives—especially being subjected to unnecessary checks—were murmuring aloud, wondering what prompted the takeover of the court.
Most of the lawyers are complaining that they have no involvement in Bello’s case yet are being subjected to unfair treatment.
Meanwhile, the situation at the gate has become rowdy, with litigants shouting and protesting against the restrictions placed on them despite having different matters in different courts.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Friday, December 13, 2024, granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
This was after the former governor pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He is facing an alleged money laundering trial involving N80 billion but has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The defendant is being led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, while the EFCC legal team is headed by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite.