0.2 C
New York
Saturday, December 7, 2024

Alleged N80.2bn fraud: Yahaya Bello’s arraignment for Dec 13

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed December 13, 2024 for the arraignment of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Bello could not be arraigned on Friday, November 29 following the absence of his legal team.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite directed the court’s Registrar to issue a hearing notice to Bello’s legal team regarding his arraignment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is prosecuting Bello on 19-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.

Addressing the court about the former governor’s presence in court, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, stating that the defendant’s presence satisfied the legal requirement for the process.

“In view of his physical presence in court and relying on Sections 271-277 and Section 392 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), I respectfully apply that the charge be read to the defendant, his plea be taken, and my lordship adjourn for further proceedings,” he said.

Also Read  Newly elected Anambra council chair nabbed in U.S., risks 20-year jail over alleged $2m romance scam

He referenced two Court of Appeal rulings, dated August 20, 2024, which upheld a defendant’s presence in court as satisfactory enough for his arraignment and further buttressed his position with the fact that Bello had failed to appear in court on several occasions, prompting an application for his trial in absentia.

Bello in his response, informed the court that he had not mobilized his legal team on the arraignment and pleaded for time to do so.

Justice Nwite, in a short ruling, adjourned to December 13, 2024 to enable the prosecution to serve the defendant’s counsel with the necessary processes.

In addition, the court directed the registrar to issue a hearing notice to Bello’s legal team and ordered that the former governor be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

Ede Nwa Ede
+ posts

Related Articles

Stay Connected

3,500FansLike
3,028FollowersFollow
500FollowersFollow

Latest Articles