In the fresh case against Yahaya Bello, the immediate former governor of Kogi State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked for an adjournment, claiming that the 30-day deadline for the previously issued summons is still open.
The commission has requested the court to give Bello more time to appear and has granted administrative bail to his co-defendants, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.
When the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja began its hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro pointed out that the court’s October 3rd decision was still in effect.
“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November, 2024, my lord,” he told the court.
He also mentioned that the previously set date of November 20th was not convenient for the prosecution counsels.
Counsel to the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution and had no objection to the adjournment request. The third defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, concurred.
The prosecution counsel also requested the court to allow the notice of hearing to be pasted on the last known address of the first defendant.
After hearing from all counsels, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and the issuance of the hearing notice.
“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” she said.
Justice Anenih then adjourned the case to November 27th for arraignment.
The EFCC has filed a new 16-count indictment against the former governor, Umar Oricha, and Abdulsalami Hudu, charging them as first to third defendants, respectively.
