Yahaya Bello: Drama As Judge Walks Out Of Court, Details Emerge

• Justice Maryann Anenih abruptly left the courtroom during the former Kogi state governor’s arraignment
• In a surprising move, Yahaya Bello personally calmed the crowd, urging his followers to leave and ensuring compliance by monitoring their exit
• The EFCC accused Bello of N110.4bn fraud during his tenure as governor, with legal teams led by prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria preparing for a heated trial

The scheduled arraignment of former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court took an unexpected turn on Wednesday, November 27.

The presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, abruptly walked out of the courtroom, citing rowdiness caused by the large crowd of Bello’s followers and sympathisers.

Recall that the EFCC is accusing the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of over alleged N110.4bn fraud.

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After months, Bello on Wednesday, November 27, appeared before an FCT High Court sitting at Maitama, Abuja for arraignment.

In a quick turn in court, Justice Anenih, who was to take the plea of the former governor and his co-defendants on fraud-related charges, expressed her displeasure with the chaotic atmosphere, as reported by PM News.

“I will not proceed with this case until order is restored in this courtroom,” she declared before rising and leaving.

Bello steps in to restore order

In a surprising twist, Yahaya Bello himself stepped in to de-escalate the tension.

Rising from his seat at the front of the courtroom, he addressed the surging crowd, urging his supporters to leave, Vanguard reported.

“I appreciate your support, but we must respect the court’s authority. Please, leave the courtroom now,” Bello reportedly told the crowd.

The move had an immediate effect, with his followers quietly vacating their seats and exiting the room one by one.

To ensure compliance, Bello positioned himself at the entrance of the courtroom, personally monitoring the departure of his supporters.

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The Federal Government’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro, is pursuing the arraignment of Bello and his co-defendants on a 16-count charge.

Representing Bello is another seasoned SAN, Joseph Dauda, signalling a high-profile legal battle.

The charges against Bello stem from allegations of fraud during his tenure as governor.

Verydarkman challenges EFCC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that popular social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, aka Verydarkman, reacted to Bello's arrest.

Verydarkman claimed that he heard that Bello bribed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, with 10 billion naira to arrange the arrest.

The internet sensation however noted that the information came from an unreliable source and dared the commission to post a picture of the politician holding a placard.

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng