Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, declined the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arraign a former Governor of
Kogi state Yahaya Bello, without his lawyers in court.
Bello was in court on Friday, for his arraignment, but the presiding judge refused to allow the defendant enter the dock in the absence of his legal representation.
The former Governor informed the court that he got to know about the arraignment Thursday night and therefore, could not contact any of his lawyers.
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However, the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro urged the court to go ahead with Bello’s arraignment.
But Justice Nwite declined the application on the basis that such would amount to a breach of Bello’s fundamental rights to fair hearing.
Justice Nwite was minded of the claim of the defendant that he got to know about the arraignment on Thursday night.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite fixed December 13.
Justice Nwite ordered that hearing notice be served on Bello’s lawyers to enable them attend sitting on the adjourned date.
“The matter came up on the 30th of October 2024. It was adjourned to 21st January 2025.
“From the statement of the Defendant, his lawyers are not aware of today’s date.
“In the interest of fair hearing, I will not proceed for arraignment.
“The prosecution should serve the Defendant’s lawyer with the application for abridgment of time while we come back to take that.
“This matter is peculiar. It is peculiar in the sense that we have already agreed on a date, which is in January.
“It will be unfair if the matter is taken without the defendant’s counsel.
“It would be a different thing if the defendant had no counsel,” Justice Nwite held.
Meanwhile, the Judge ordered that Bello be kept in the custody of the EFCC till December 13.
