Alleged N80 bln fraud: Ex-Kogi Gov. Bello heads to Supreme Court

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello until October 30, 2024.

According to Persecondnews, Bello is attempting to revoke his April 17 arrest warrant.

Bello’s defence counsel, Mr. A.M. Adoyi, brought to the court’s attention that the issue of Bello’s arraignment is currently being appealed at the Supreme Court, prompting the adjournment.

Adoyi said: “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 Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), however, told the court that the defendant’s counsel was turning the court into a place of 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.”

Persecondnews recalls that Bello “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.

Later reports claimed that EFCC agents besieged the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja at night in an attempt to arrest the former governor.

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 contended that the defendant’s appeal to the Supreme Court, which effectively halted the proceedings, rendered today’s arraignment moot.

He said: “In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.”

Justice Nwite acknowledged the counsel’s submission, stating he would need to decide on the raised issues.

He, therefore, adjourned the case to October 30 for ruling and arraignment.