A federal high court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the former governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, to June 27, 2024. Bello is charged in an alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the resumption of hearing on Thursday, a lawyer for Bello, Adeola Adedipe, informed the court that lawyers for the EFCC had approached Bello’s legal team to seek a new date for arraignment as the June 13 date was not convenient, he added that all parties agreed at the meeting that the said date was not convenient and June 27 would be more convenient to produce the defendant in court.
Adedipe argued 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. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) said he was not briefed about the said meeting neither was he in the know of an adjournment.
Adedipe, who was in court for another matter, expressed surprise that Oyedepo was in court for the matter after the two parties had agreed that junior lawyers would be sent to pick a new date, at the instance of Pinheiro.
He said, “And as senior counsel, it was best agreed by way of convenience for another date.
“It was agreed administratively that junior lawyers be sent to court today to formally take a date as agreed by parties for June 27.
“I personally also approached the registry to confirm this information and it was confirmed to me. That was why I told the court that my appearance today is for another matter.
“What the prosecution has done this morning is an ambush to bring the defendant once again to the realms of social media.”
He also claimed that had the EFCC not approached them to seek an adjournment, Bello would have been present in court for his arraignment.
Citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he said, “Under 266 of ACJA, there are instances when defendants don’t need to come and this is one of them.
“We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide,” Adedipe said.
Oyedepo, however countered saying “With due respect to my learned friend, this court deserves respect. Even though they are not going to respect us because we wear the same cloth, they’re bound to respect the court.
“I am not aware of any meeting for an adjournment of this matter. My concern here is the integrity of the court and the sanctity of this court.
“On the last adjourned date, Abdulwahab SAN was here.
“Myself leading the prosecuting team this matter was adjourned on record. The defence made an undertaking to produce the defendant today. Is it right that we are sitting here and the defendant is sitting at home drinking tea?
“I urge your lordship not to entertain any defence until they present the defendant.”
However, a senior lawyer, Simon Lough, who came for another matter, stood up to intervene.
The presiding judge, 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.
