The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the alleged money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to October 30, 2024.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment after Bello’s legal team filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the arrest warrant issued against him by the lower court on April 17.
At the hearing, Bello’s defense attorney, A.M. Adoyi, informed the court that the issue of arraignment was now part of an appeal lodged at the Supreme Court. He referenced the affidavit of record submitted on September 23, stating the appeal numbers SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. Adoyi argued that the court should wait for the Supreme Court’s decision before proceeding with the arraignment to avoid undermining the appeal.
However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), disagreed, accusing the defense of stalling the process. He pointed out that a previous appeal by Bello, challenging the mode of service, had already been dismissed by the Court of Appeal in August 2024. Pinheiro emphasized that the former governor had avoided taking the necessary legal steps while simultaneously filing new appeals.
Last week, Bello presented himself to the EFCC in the company of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, but was not interrogated or detained. There were later reports that EFCC officials attempted to arrest Bello at the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja.
In response to the defense’s request, Justice Nwite stated he would need time to review the submissions and ultimately adjourned the case until October 30, 2024, for a ruling and possible arraignment.
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