White Lion’s Lawyer Tells Court: ‘We Don’t Know Where He Is’

Abdulwahab Mohammed, the lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, has appealed to a federal high court in Abuja for a four-week extension to locate his elusive client. Mohammed’s plea comes amidst heightened concerns about Bello’s safety and an ongoing search for the self-proclaimed “White Lion.”

Expressing deep apprehension over Bello’s well-being, Mohammed informed the court that the ex-governor’s whereabouts remain a mystery. “My lord, this concerns his right to life. If someone fears for their safety, it should be taken seriously,” Mohammed urged the court.

Despite a ruling mandating Bello’s arrest, Mohammed insisted that his client is eager to address the charges brought against him. “At this stage, we are unaware of the defendant’s location. Hence, we request a reasonable timeframe to locate him,” Mohammed added, petitioning for four weeks to facilitate Bello’s appearance.

However, the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, rebuffed Mohammed’s request to suspend proceedings, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. “I am astounded by this application, despite the court’s ruling,” Judge Nwite remarked, emphasizing that the law prohibits the suspension of proceedings in such cases.

Challenging Mohammed’s stance, Judge Nwite questioned the necessity of Bello’s absence, highlighting the gravity of the charges and the global attention the case has garnered. “Is he the only former governor facing charges? How many have suffered harm at the hands of the EFCC?” the judge queried, underscoring the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

In response, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, assured the court of the agency’s commitment to due process, vowing not to resort to extrajudicial measures. “The EFCC has no intention of harming your client. We operate within the confines of the law,” Oyedepo reassured Mohammed.

In a lighthearted exchange, Mohammed referenced a past incident involving another individual in EFCC custody, prompting a swift rebuttal from Oyedepo. Despite the banter, the court adjourned the matter until June 13 for further proceedings.

The EFCC seeks to arraign Bello on charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds totaling N80.2 billion. As the search for the elusive “White Lion” continues, the legal saga unfolds with intrigue and uncertainty.