Court Rejects EFCC’s Request To Arraign Yahaya Bello Without His Lawyers
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, declined to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arraign the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the absence of his lawyers.
Bello was scheduled to enter his plea before trial Justice Emeka Nwite, on another 19-count charge that bordered on his alleged complicity in an N80.2billion fraud.
When the matter was called up, none of the lawyers representing the former governor, was in court.
Notwithstanding the development, EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to allow the defendant who had already mounted the dock, to take his plea.
When he was asked why his lawyers were not around, Yahaya Bello, told the court that he only got to know about the proceeding, around 11pm on Thursday.
He maintained that his lawyers were probably not aware that the case which was originally adjourned till January 21, 2025, was later brought forward by the court.
More details later……
