The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to June 27.
This decision was made on Thursday due to the absence of the lead counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN.
Pinhero had informed the defense lawyers that he would be unable to attend the court session and requested a new date for the arraignment. Both parties agreed to send junior lawyers to court to reschedule.
When the case was called, another senior prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, represented the EFCC and indicated readiness to proceed.
However, defense lawyer Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, explained the prior agreement for adjournment, which justified the absence of the former governor.
Adedipe noted that the request for postponement was made by the prosecution. He cited Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, stating that the defendant’s presence was not required when only a new date was being set.
Justice Emeka Nwite, after hearing both sides, agreed to reschedule the arraignment.
Yahaya Bello, who served as governor for eight years, faces charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion.
Despite previous absences, Bello’s lawyers have filed an application to dismiss an arrest warrant issued on April 17 and challenge the court’s jurisdiction.
Bello argues that the EFCC violated a High Court judgment in Kogi State by charging him and requesting an arrest warrant. He has initiated contempt proceedings against the EFCC Chairman.
Although the court refused to cancel the arrest warrant in a May 10 ruling, it allowed Bello the opportunity to voluntarily appear for arraignment.
