The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has taken legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), filing an appeal at the Supreme Court to set aside an order for his arrest. Bello is facing a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.
During a session at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, the defense team, led by Mr. A. M. Adoyi, informed Justice Emeka Nwite about the appeal, which was filed on September 23.
Adoyi urged the court to suspend the planned arraignment, stating, “My lord, the appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. We believe that the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeals, before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court.”
The EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, criticized Bello’s legal team, accusing them of undermining the judiciary. “My lord, what counsel to the defendant has demonstrated before this court is nothing but the audacity of irresponsibility. I urge this court to impose its coercive powers to let him know that the court is not a place for entertainment,” Pinheiro stated.
He further argued that rather than presenting himself for trial, Bello visited the EFCC’s premises in the company of an individual with immunity. Pinheiro described the action as potentially dangerous, saying, “The implication is that if there was an attempt to extricate him from the person with immunity, there would have been an altercation and an invitation to anarchy.”
Justice Nwite, after hearing arguments from both parties, adjourned the case to October 30 for a ruling.
