The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in an alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to June 27, 2024.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, a lawyer to Bello, Adeola Adedipe, told the court that the EFCC lawyers approached the lead counsel to the former governor, Abdulwahab Mohammed, that the June 13 date would not be convenient for them to proceed with the arraignment.
Adedipe said he was surprised at the posture of the prosecution team because it seemed there was a breach of communication between EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Phinhero; and Rotimi Oyedepo, who made an appearance for the anti-graft agency.
Oyedepo, however, said he was not aware of any meeting that happened outside the court and he did not know about the understanding to adjourn Bello’s arraignment to June 27.
Justice Emeka Nwite thereafter adjourned the case to June 27 after an undertaking by Bello’s lawyer, Adedipe, that the defendant would appear in court on that day.
On April 17, 2024, armed EFCC operatives laid siege to Yahya Bello’s Abuja residence to arrest him but his successor, Usman Ododo arrived at the house and allegedly whisked him away.
The EFCC subsequently declared Bello wanted, warning that obstruction to its operations will not be tolerated, a move backed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
