Yahaya Bello cannot escape prison, says Austin Okai, after Abuja court rejects ex-Kogi governor’s jurisdiction challenge in his N110.4 billion EFCC fraud case
Austin Okai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and prominent Kogi-born socio-political activist, has asserted that former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello cannot escape prison in his ongoing high-profile fraud trial.
Also read: IGP Deploys CP Shogunle for Peaceful Ekiti Governorship Election
Bello, who led Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, stands accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of offences involving N110.4 billion. On Tuesday, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, rejected an application by the ex-governor that sought to challenge the court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
Reacting swiftly to the ruling, Okai declared that nothing would prevent Bello from going to jail. He called on politicians in Kogi State to immediately align with the ADC, suggesting this signals the decline of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.
“Yahaya Bello is going to prison; it’s an obvious fact that he can’t escape it,” Okai wrote. “Every wise politician in Kogi State should start identifying with the ADC now. APC rigging machines will not be able to function from Kuje.”
The development comes as political realignments intensify in Kogi ahead of future elections. Okai’s remarks portray the court decision as a significant blow to the APC’s long-standing influence in the state.
Also read: Democracy Must Be Respected, Yagba APC Leaders Back Abejide’s Candidacy
Bello has pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal breach of trust and money laundering. His trial continues at the FCT High Court.
