Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, who is facing charges of money laundering refused to make an appearance Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Despite several postpone hearing on the matter Mr. Bello has yet to make an appearance to take a plea in the N80.2b money laundering charge. It is the seventh time the matter has been called for hearing after he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in April 2024.
Mr. Bello’s legal counsel A.M. Adoyi pointed out that the former governor was absent because of a pending an appeal filed at the Supreme Court September 23, 2024, challenging his arraignment.
“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 out from under the feet of the Supreme Court,” Mr. Adoyi argued.
EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in his response stated: “Adoyi’s statement seeks to turn the court into an entertainment venue.
“The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The court ruled that the appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step.”
The case was adjourned the case until 30 October.
