The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing on the alleged N80 billion fraud case involving Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State.
The session, initially set for January 21, 2025, has now been moved to December 13, 2024, to address a motion for abridgement of time and possibly conduct the arraignment.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, emphasized the need for a fair hearing.
When the case was brought up on Friday, the former governor explained that he was only informed of the court session late the previous night, leaving him unable to notify his legal team.
Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), argued that the defendant’s plea could proceed in the absence of his lawyers, as the defendant’s physical presence was sufficient under the law.
However, Justice Nwite disagreed, stating it would be unjust to proceed without legal representation for the defendant.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite clarified that the next steps would be taken after the defendant’s counsel was properly served with the motion for abridgement.
He acknowledged the peculiarity of the case, given that a date had already been agreed upon for January.
The judge deemed it unfair to continue without the defendant’s legal team, noting that the situation would be different if the defendant were unrepresented entirely.
The court proposed December 13, 2024, as the new date to consider the motion and possibly carry out the arraignment.
The EFCC requested that Bello remain in their custody until then, a request the court approved. Justice Nwite also ordered that hearing notices be sent to the defendant’s legal team.
This adjustment follows the EFCC’s application to bring forward the arraignment date initially scheduled for January. However, the defence counsel had not been notified of this change.
Bello remains in EFCC custody, where he faces separate charges amounting to N110 billion before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
His bail application in that case is scheduled for a ruling on December 10, with his detention continuing until then.