Security has been heightened at the Federal High Court in Abuja as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) take charge ahead of the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on fraud-related charges.
Armed EFCC officers have blocked a major access road leading to the court complex, positioning a vehicle as part of security measures.
The operatives, heavily armed and accompanied by security dogs, have stationed themselves at the court entrance, conducting thorough searches on individuals entering the premises.
Lawyers and litigants arriving at the court for various cases have expressed frustration over the intense security checks.
Many lawyers, particularly those uninvolved in Bello’s case, have voiced their dissatisfaction over what they describe as unnecessary scrutiny.
The situation outside the court has become chaotic, with litigants and other visitors protesting against the stringent restrictions despite their unrelated court engagements.
READ ALSO: EFCC Returns $127,892, N70.6m, Luxury Cars to Fraud Victims in US, Others
Bello, who was granted bail on December 13, 2024, in the sum of N500 million and two sureties of the same amount, is facing a 19-count charge brought by the EFCC over alleged money laundering amounting to N80 billion. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The legal battle sees Bello being represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, while the EFCC’s prosecution team is led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The trial continues under heightened security, reflecting the significance of the case and the EFCC’s determination to ensure proceedings go uninterrupted.