Yahaya Bello:Court Adjourns Arraignment Again Amidst Legal Gymnastics

Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment Delayed Again: Court Adjourns Till July 17 Amidst Legal Gymnastics

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello till July 17, 2024. Bello is facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of approximately N80.2 billion.

At the Thursday proceeding, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), applied to withdraw his appearance for Bello. Adedipe had earlier drawn the court’s attention to an application before the Chief Judge for the transfer of the charge to the Federal High Court, Lokoja, pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.

He stated that the prosecution had been notified and their opinion had been sought via a letter dated June 14, 2024, from the Chief Judge’s office. The letter, addressed to EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was signed by the Special Assistant to the Chief Judge, Joshua Aji.

Recall that Bello was billed to appear in court on June 13, but the proceeding was adjourned till June 27, as the EFCC lead counsel indicated that the previous date would not be convenient. Adedipe reminded the court that his appearance at the last hearing was accidental and that this would be seen from the court’s records.

Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), on the other hand, urged the judge to punish Bello’s counsel for failing to present their client for his scheduled arraignment. He argued that the lawyers breached the rules of professional conduct, citing Order 31(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners, which states that any lawyer who fails to comply with an undertaking made before a court, aside from being in contempt, is automatically guilty of misconduct.

Pinheiro stressed that the matter was for arraignment and the former Governor’s counsel had, on June 13, undertaken to produce the defendant in court. After arguments back and forth, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case till July 17 for ruling and arraignment.