The arraignment of Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on new 16-count charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been postponed till November 27, 2024, by Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday.
Bello is charged with criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to conduct an offense worth N110.4 billion, together with two other people, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Since the court’s October 3 order had not yet expired, EFCC attorney Jamiu Agoro asked for an adjournment at the resumed hearing to guarantee Bello’s appearance in court for arraignment.
The prosecution claimed that the court’s 30-day summons timeframe was still in effect.
It should be remembered that Bello was summoned to appear in court and answer to the 16 counts against him.
In addition to prominently posting the summons across the court grounds, Justice Anenih ordered it to be published in a daily with a large readership and posted at Bello’s last known residence.
Agoro also asked the court for permission to post a hearing notice at Bello’s last known address and to prolong the time for his attendance.
He stated, “I will humbly pray, Your Lordship, for an extension of time for the 1st defendant to be present in court. We believe it would not be appropriate to proceed while the 30-day period is still active.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has granted administrative bail to Bello’s co-defendants, Oricha and Hudu.
The second defendant’s attorney, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, approved the bail and did not object to the request for an adjournment. The third defendant’s attorney, ZE Abass, agreed with Saiki’s viewpoint.
Since the November 20th date was inconvenient, the EFCC prosecutor told the court that a deal had been reached with the defense team to meet again on November 27.
Following hearing arguments from both side, the judge authorized the posting of the hearing notice at Bello’s home and granted the EFCC’s request for an adjournment. After that, the trial judge postponed the arraignment until November 27.
She stated, “I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant, the issuance of a hearing notice, and the submissions from the 2nd and 3rd defendants. The application is granted.”