Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to October 30, 2024.
The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was postponed after Bello moved to the Supreme Court to appeal an arrest warrant issued by the trial court in April.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Bello’s counsel, A.M. Adoyi, informed the court that the arraignment was the subject of an appeal already submitted to the Supreme Court. He urged the court to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision to avoid rendering the appeal null.
EFCC counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kemi Pinheiro, argued that Bello’s legal team was attempting to delay the case unnecessarily. He pointed out that a previous appeal disputing the mode of service was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in August. Pinheiro called on the court to demonstrate its coercive power to move the case forward.
Justice Nwite, after considering the arguments, decided to adjourn the case for ruling and arraignment on October 30.
The EFCC has accused Bello of money laundering, and although the former governor claimed he was not detained after honoring the commission’s invitation last week, the EFCC insists that he remains wanted. A failed attempt to arrest Bello was made at the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja last week.
