The planned arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for alleged N80.2 billion fraud charges has again stalled.
Bello, who was expected in court on Thursday, before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court Abuja on a 19-count charge, was absent.
According to the EFCC, through the counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the court had previously adjourned the case on May 10 with the expectation that Bello would be present for arraignment today.
However, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), argued there was a misunderstanding. He claimed the lead prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had suggested to his colleague, Aliyu AbdulWahab, of postponing the arraignment to June 27 for convenience sake during an informal meeting outside of court.
Adedipe stated that he was surprised to find EFCC lead counsel, absent from the court today.
“They (EFCC) agreed that junior counsel would be sent to court today to formally pick a date. And the registry can confirm this.
“Kemi Pinhero, SAN, has been calling us to say today is not convenient,” Adedipe said, accusing the prosecution of attempting to “ambush” him.
The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), countered by saying the defense team was misrepresenting the situation. He argued that holding an unofficial meeting was not a valid reason for Bello’s absence and called for an apology to the court.
“Assuming without conceding that there was a conversation between the counsel for Bello and the prosecution (outside the court), to have this matter adjourned, the fundamental issue today is compliance with the order of my lord; to with, the appearance of the defendant,” he said.
According to Adedipe, Yahaya Bello was prepared to appear today as originally scheduled.
“Under 266 ACJA there are instances when defendants don’t need to come and this is one of them.
“We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide,” Adedipe argued.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the judge acknowledged the confusion and accepted the defense team’s apology.
“I am minded to take the apology on the ground that the defendant is making a fresh undertaking that the defendant (Bello) will be produced on June 27.
“The matter is adjourned to June 27 for arraignment,” the judge ruled.