The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to June 27.
The deferment was due to the absence of Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, lead counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mr. Pinhero had previously informed the defense lawyers of his inability to attend the court session and requested a new date for the arraignment, where the defendant is to enter a plea to the 19-count charge brought against him by the EFCC. As a result, both parties agreed to send junior lawyers to court to set a new date.
However, when the case was called before Justice Emeka Nwite, another senior prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appeared for the EFCC, expressing readiness to proceed with the case. This unexpected development prompted Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, representing the defense, to inform the court of the prior agreement to reschedule, explaining the absence of the former governor.
Adedipe, SAN, emphasized that the adjournment request originated from the prosecution and argued that, according to Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the defendant’s presence in court was not required when the purpose was merely to set a new date. After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite agreed to postpone the arraignment.
Bello, who governed Kogi State for eight years, faces charges of alleged complicity in money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling approximately N80.2 billion. Despite previously failing to appear in court for arraignment, he instructed his lawyers to file an application to set aside an arrest warrant issued against him on April 17 and to challenge the court’s jurisdiction over the case.
The former governor argued that the EFCC violated a standing judgment of a Kogi State High Court by filing charges against him and seeking a bench warrant for his arrest. He has also initiated a contempt action against the EFCC Chairman. Although the court, in a ruling on May 10, declined to revoke the arrest warrant, it allowed the defendant the chance to voluntarily present himself for arraignment.
