Alleged N80bn laundering: Court declines arraignment of Yahaya Bello in lawyers’ absence

•fixes Dec. 13 for arraignment

By Vivian Okejeme

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Friday, declined the Economic and Financial Crime Commission’s (EFCC) request to arraign the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in the absence of his legal counsel.
Recall that the anti-graft agency is prosecuting Bello over a 19-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N80billion, while he was piloting the affairs of the state as a governor.
But, Bello, who has been evading arrest by the prosecution was brought to court for arraignment to take his plea, without legal representation.
Bello told the court that infomercial about his about the arraignment was made known to him, late Thursday night and hence, could not reach any of his lawyers.
Responding, counsel to the EFCC Kemi Pinheiro, insisted that Bello be arraigned with or without his lawyer.
However, Justice Nwite refused to grant the request on the ground that such would amount to a breach of Bello’s fundamental rights to fair hearing.
“The matter came up on the 30th of October 2024. It was adjourned to 21st January 2025. From the statement of the Defendant, his Lawyers are not aware of today’s date. In the interest of fair hearing, I will not proceed for arraignment.
“The prosecution should serve the Defendant’s Lawyer with the application for abridgment of time while we come back to take that.
“This matter is peculiar. It is peculiar in the sense that we have already agreed on a date, which is in January.
“It will be unfair if the matter is taken without the defendant’s counsel. It would be a different thing if the defendant had no counsel”, the Judge said.
The court insisted that it is refusing to go ahead with the arraignment on the premise of the claim of the defendant that he got to know about the arraignment late yesterday night.
Justice Nwite also ordered that hearing notice must be served on Bello’s lawyers to enable their attendance in court.
However, Justice Nwite fixed December 13, for arraignment and directed that Bello should be in the EFCC custody till the date.