A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the money laundering case against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to January 21, 2025.
This is as the case has been in court since August this year, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving allegations of financial misconduct during Bello’s tenure.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that he had two witnesses prepared to testify.
Pinheiro also requested that the court enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant, Yahaya Bello, despite his absence from the court proceedings. Thus the defendant’s lawyer should prove the plea of the defendant.
The adjournment gives both parties additional time to prepare, with the EFCC expected to proceed with witness testimonies at the next hearing.
Pinheiro, SAN, in defending his application to enter a plea of not guilty for the defendant, said “the right to plead guilty or not guilty is a right that can be waved by the defendant.
Michael Adoyi, who appeared for the defendant, however kicked against this, saying that the Prosecution’s application was made contrary to a subsisting order of the judge. He argued that no application can be entertained in the absence of the arraignment of the defendant.
Adoyi also argued that the court, in a criminal trial, is immune and distinct from the prosecution. He argued that civil proceeding was different from criminal proceeding.
Justice Nwite, however, said it might not be possible to deliver the ruling this year as he was returning as a vacation judge.
The Judge thereafter adjourned to 21st January, 2025 for ruling on the application by the EFCC and/or arraignment.
