Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment to October 30 as Ex-Governor Heads to Supreme Court

In a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was postponed until October 30, following his legal team’s move to the Supreme Court. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment after Bello’s defense notified the court of their pending appeal at the apex court, seeking to quash an arrest warrant issued against him in April.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 19-count charge of money laundering against the former governor. At Wednesday’s hearing, Bello’s counsel, A.M. Adoyi, informed the court that the Supreme Court appeal, filed on September 23, could impact the arraignment. Adoyi stressed that it would be premature to proceed with the trial until the Supreme Court resolves the matter, citing appeal numbers SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024.

However, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, accused Bello’s team of using delay tactics. Pinheiro reminded the court that the Court of Appeal had previously dismissed an appeal from Bello disputing the mode of service for the charges, affirming that the process had been properly followed. Despite this, Bello’s team had escalated the case to the Supreme Court.

Pinheiro urged the court to assert its authority, suggesting that the defense was attempting to manipulate the judicial process. He highlighted the fact that the former governor had previously appeared at the EFCC offices on September 18, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, but was not interrogated or detained.

In response, Adoyi reiterated that the Supreme Court appeal was pivotal to ensuring justice and urged the court to await its outcome before proceeding with the arraignment.

Justice Nwite, after hearing arguments from both sides, agreed to adjourn the matter until October 30 for further consideration and possible arraignment, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling.