Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday refused to arraign former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on an alleged billions of naira fraud in the absence of his legal team.
Bello, facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was scheduled to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite.
However, none of his lawyers was present when the case was called.
EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that Bello’s physical presence satisfied the requirements for arraignment under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. He urged the court to proceed, citing sections 271, 277, and 396 of the Act.
When asked about his absent lawyers, Bello explained, “I only got to know about the proceeding around 11pm on Thursday. My lawyers may not be aware that the January 21, 2025, date was moved forward.”
In his ruling, Justice Nwite declined to compel Bello to enter a plea without legal representation.
He stated, “It would amount to a breach of fair hearing for the defendant to be docked in the absence of his lawyers.”
He added that the court had previously issued a bench warrant for Bello’s arrest but stressed that fair hearing could not be compromised.
The judge directed that Bello’s lawyers be notified of the rescheduled hearing and adjourned proceedings to 13th December to allow arguments on whether the original trial date should be abridged. He also ordered Bello’s continued detention in EFCC custody.
The court’s refusal to proceed on Friday follows months of controversy. Justice Nwite had issued an arrest warrant for Bello in April after he failed to appear in court.
Attempts to execute the warrant were reportedly obstructed by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who allegedly helped Bello evade arrest.
After months in hiding, Bello surrendered to the EFCC last Tuesday and was arraigned on a separate matter before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was remanded in EFCC custody.
Bello’s co-defendants in the Federal High Court case include his nephew, Ali Bello, along with Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The EFCC has accused them of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.