Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to October 30, 2024.
The adjournment follows Bello’s appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.
During the proceedings, Bello’s counsel, A.M. Adoyi, informed the court that the matter of his client’s arraignment is already under appeal at the Supreme Court.
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He highlighted that an affidavit of record was filed on September 23 and argued that the court should wait for the Supreme Court’s decision before proceeding with the arraignment to avoid rendering the appeal irrelevant.
However, EFCC counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, accused Bello’s legal team of delaying tactics. Pinheiro pointed out that a previous appeal by the defendant disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on August 28.
He urged the court to exercise its authority over the defendant.
Despite Pinheiro’s argument, Bello’s counsel maintained that the arraignment should be delayed pending the Supreme Court’s ruling to ensure justice is served.
Justice Nwite acknowledged the submissions and decided to adjourn the case to October 30, 2024, to rule on the matter and proceed with the arraignment.
Last week, Bello claimed he honored an EFCC invitation, accompanied by the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, but was neither interrogated nor detained. The EFCC refuted this, maintaining that Bello remains wanted.
The commission later attempted but failed to arrest the ex-governor at the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja last Wednesday night.
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