New Date Set for Ex-Gov Bello’s Arraignment

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the arraignment of former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to June 27, 2024. This decision follows a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During Thursday’s court session, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, representing the former governor, informed the court that the EFCC had approached Aliyu AbdulWahab, SAN, stating that the original date of June 13 was inconvenient for them and requested a new date.

Adedipe expressed surprise when EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, appeared in court despite the agreement that a junior counsel would attend to reschedule the arraignment. He confirmed that the court registry could verify this arrangement.

“Kemi Pinhero, SAN, had also contacted us, stating that today was not convenient,” Adedipe added.

He emphasized that Governor Bello was prepared to appear in court, but the EFCC’s request for adjournment necessitated the change. Adedipe also noted that under section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), defendants are not required to be present in certain instances, and this was one of them.

“We are here to set a new date. The defendant’s presence is unnecessary today. It was the prosecuting counsel who requested the change, not us. We have nothing to conceal,” Adedipe concluded.