Yahaya Bello heads to supreme court as judge adjourns ‘money laundering’ trial to October 30

A federal high court in Abuja has again adjourned the alleged money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor.

Emeke Nwite, presiding judge, adjourned the case following Bello’s absence in court.

After filing a 19-count charge, the EFCC has been seeking to arraign Bello since April, over allegations bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion. 

At the resumed court session on Wednesday, the former governor was represented by A.M. Adoyi.

Excusing the absence of his client, Adoyi said two appeals have been filed before the supreme court seeking to set aside the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17, and to set aside the order of the court of appeal directing Bello to appear for his arraignment.

He said he would like to draw the court’s attention to the appeal by virtue of an affidavit of record filed on September 23.

“The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the supreme court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug from off the feet of my learned justices of the supreme court,” Adoyi said.

Responding, Kemi Pinheiro, EFCC counsel, submitted that the defence was taking the court for granted.

He said the prosecution lawyer has been pushed by his seniors to turn the court into a vaudeville.

“This court is not a vaudeville, a place of variety entertainment,” Pinheiro said. 

“No party or person must turn the court into a place of entertainment. Courts must resist it.

“This court has adjourned on four different occasions for the defendant to present himself for arraignment.

“Rather than respect the sanctity of the constitution and this court, the defendant through his lawyers has deployed all manner of chicanery.

“On the last adjournment, they assured that the defendant would be presented in court today. That was why your lordship granted a long adjournment.

“An appeal the defendant filed is disputing the mode of service of the proof of evidence and the charge was dismissed by the court of appeal on August 28.

“The court of appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The appellant shall not take any further steps until he submits himself. 

“Notwithstanding this order, the lawyers have now filed another application before your lordship in total disregard of the court of appeal’s judgment that they should not take any steps until the defendant takes his plea.

“I urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity in using its coercive powers to demonstrate that this court is not a vaudeville.”

‘ARRAIGNMENTS ARE NOT DONE IN CAR PARKS’

Referring to Bello’s visit to the commission’s complex last Wednesday, Pinheiro said: “There is no order where my lord directed the defendant to present himself at the EFCC car park. Arraignments are not done in EFCC car park.”

Responding, Adoyi urged the court to expunge Pinheiro’s claims.

“The new applications present entirely new facts, and by virtue of the rules of professional conduct 20 and 24, I have a duty under the law to represent and defend my client. I have a duty to accept because I have not undermined the court,” he said.

“In the interest of justice, the court should await the ruling of the supreme court.”

Nwite said with the submission made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised one way or the other.

Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter to October 30 for ruling and possible arraignment.

On September 18, Bello’s media office said the ex-governor had honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation.

The EFCC immediately denied that Bello was in its custody, restating that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was still a wanted man.

However, Bello’s media office responded by saying the politician was not interrogated when he visited the EFCC office and was turned back.

The media office of the former governor also alleged that operatives of the EFCC laid siege to the Kogi government lodge in Abuja in a bid to forcefully arrest Bello.