Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s case has been adjourned to October 30 by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion, and his lawyers are trying to appeal the arrest warrant issued on April 17.
During the hearing, Bello’s counsel, A.M. Adoyi, pointed out that the arraignment is subject to an appeal at the Supreme Court, and it would be best to await the decision of the Supreme Court to avoid rendering the appeal null.
However, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, accused Bello’s lawyers of turning the court into a place of entertainment and pointed out that the Court of Appeal had already dismissed an appeal by Bello disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence.
Bello had surrendered himself to the EFCC on September 18, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, but the EFCC allegedly refused to interrogate or detain him.
Later, EFCC operatives reportedly laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja to arrest Bello at night.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to October 30 for ruling and arraignment, after considering the submissions made by the counsel.
It’s worth noting that Bello had previously lost his bid to transfer his case from Abuja to Kogi State.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had dismissed Bello’s application, agreeing with the EFCC that the case should be heard in Abuja.
