The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the alleged money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, until October. 30, 2024.
The adjournment by Justice Emeka Nwite came as ex-Gov. Bello moved to the Supreme Court to file an appeal seeking to set aside the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.
When the matter came up for hearing, the Defence Counsel, A.M. Adoyi, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject matter of an appeal already entered by him at the Supreme Court.
He said he would like to draw the court’s attention to the appeal by virtue of the affidavit of record filed on September 23.
Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, however, told the court that the Defendant’s Counsel were turning the court into a place for entertainment.
It will be recalled that the former Governor submitted himself to the EFCC last Wednesday, accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, but the EFCC reportedly refused to interrogate or detain him.
It was later reported that EFCC operatives allegedly laid siege on the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja to arrest the Governor at night.
Arguing against the Defendant’s applications, Pinheiro said, he has three applications, two before the court and one before the Supreme Court.
Adoyi, Bello’s lawyer, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which is the arraignment and subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.
Justice Emeka Nwite said, with the submission made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other. He said he would have to adjourn to rule on the matter.
Justice Nwite therefore adjourned the matter to 30th of October for ruling and arraignment.
