The Federal High Court has adjourned the alleged money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to October 30, 2024.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the ruling on Wednesday after Bello’s counsel, A.M. Adoyi, informed the court of an ongoing appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the arrest warrant issued on April 17.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had filed a 19-count charge against Bello, alleging N80.2 billion in money laundering, according to Independent.
Adoyi argued that the arraignment should be delayed pending the Supreme Court’s decision.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro opposed the delay, urging the court to assert its authority.
Justice Nwite opted to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on Bello’s appeal before proceeding.
“The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” the Defendant’s lawyer said.
Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, however, told the court that the Defendant’s Counsels were turning the court into a place for entertainment.
He said, “Secondly, an appeal the defendant filed at the court of appeal disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence on their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on the 28th of August this year.
“The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step.”
Recall 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, “They have three applications on this – two before your lordship and one before the Supreme Court. I will now urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him.”
Adoyi, Bello’s lawyer, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which is the arraignment, “is subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.”
“In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue,” he urged the 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.
