(JUST IN) Tension Escalates in Court: EFCC and Yahaya Bello’s Legal Team Clash, Judge Walks Out

In a dramatic scene today at the Federal High Court, tensions soared as legal representatives clashed during the anticipated arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, on charges of alleged N82 billion fraud.

The courtroom was plunged into chaos when senior advocates Abdulwahab Mohammed, representing Bello, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the federal government, engaged in a heated verbal exchange. The altercation erupted when Mohammed, announcing his appearance for Bello, omitted to include his colleague, Adeola Adedipe, SAN.

Pinheiro, vehemently objecting to Adedipe’s exclusion, argued that he should participate until formally discharged by the court. Adedipe, however, interjected, expressing his unwillingness to be involved in the proceedings.

Amidst mounting tension, Mohammed disclosed that Adedipe had filed a notice of withdrawal from the case. As Justice Emeka Nwite prepared to deliver a ruling on the contentious matter of legal representation, Mohammed abruptly stood and requested to be excused from the proceedings if the ruling proceeded.

In a startling escalation, Mohammed openly criticized Pinheiro, labeling him a lawyer who delights in misleading the court. Efforts to restrain further inflammatory remarks were made, but Mohammed stood firm, refusing to apologize and threatening to leave if the judge ruled against him.

The atmosphere grew increasingly fraught until Justice Emeka Nwite, visibly agitated, abruptly adjourned proceedings by retreating to his chamber, halting the legal confrontation.

As tensions lingered in the courtroom, the situation remains tense and unresolved, casting a shadow over the future of the case.