In an official court proceeding at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama in Abuja on Thursday, Justice Maryann Anenih has set November 27, 2024, as the new date for the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The arraignment was postponed due to the introduction of 16 new charges brought forth by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Bello.
The charges brought against Bello and his alleged accomplices, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu encompass allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to commit an offense totaling N110.4 billion.
As the hearing resumed, Jamiu Agoro, the Counsel for EFCC, presented a formal request to delay the proceedings. Agoro maintained that, due to the validity of the court order issued on October 3, Bello must be physically present in court to face the newly filed charges.
In justifying the request for the adjournment, the prosecution asserted that the court’s order to issue a summons was still in effect, citing that the specified period of 30 days had not yet elapsed.
It is crucial to bear in mind that the court had previously ordered a public summons to be issued, calling upon former Governor Yahaya Bello to present himself before the court and respond to the 16 charges filed by EFCC.
Justice Maryann Anenih instructed that the summons be published in a popular newspaper, posted at Bello’s last known address, and prominently displayed within the court premises.
In addition to requesting an extension of time, prosecution lawyer Agoro also sought the court’s approval to post a hearing notice at Bello’s last known address.
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.”
Amid the adjournment, Oricha and Hudu, Bello’s co-defendants, received administrative bail from EFCC. Both their counsels, Aliyu Saiki (2nd defendant) and ZE Abass (3rd defendant), supported the adjournment with no objection, forming a united front.
The EFCC’s application for adjournment and posting of the hearing notice at Bello’s residence was granted, and the trial judge adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.
Justice Maryann Anenih 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.
