Judge Decline EFCC's Request, Adjourns Yahaya Bello's Case to December 13
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80 billion fraud to December 13, 2024, citing the absence of his legal counsel.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case on Friday, declined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) request to proceed with the arraignment, emphasizing the need for fair hearing. The case was originally scheduled for January 21, 2025, before the EFCC sought an earlier date.
During the hearing, Bello explained that he was informed of the new date late on Thursday, leaving him unable to contact his lawyers. The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the defendant's plea could be taken in the absence of his counsel, but the judge disagreed, stating that proceeding without the defendant's lawyers would be unfair.
Justice Nwite directed the EFCC to serve the defendant’s lawyers with the application for the abridgment of time. He ordered that Bello remain in EFCC custody until the December 13 hearing, which will address both the motion for abridgment and a possible arraignment.
This comes as Bello faces additional allegations of N110 billion fraud in a separate case before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court. A ruling on his bail application in that matter is set for December 10, 2024.
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