A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court has fixed November 14 for the possible arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state over alleged criminal breach of N110BN fund by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The presiding judge, Maryanne Anenih, had ordered Bello to appear before the court on October 24 to be arraigned on a 16-count charge preferred against him by EFCC. The order was to be published in a national newspaper, at Bello’s last known address, and in conspicuous places on the premises of the court. However, Bello was absent at the court session on today, 24th October.
Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC lawyer, told the court that the Commission pasted the summons and the charge as directed by the judge.
Oyedepo sought an adjournment of the case adding that he expects Bello to be in court on November 14, considering the 30-day duration.
However, Joseph Daudu, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, objected to the request for adjournment, adding that the defendants should be treated independently.
Counsel to the 3rd defendant, A.M. Aliyu, also aligned his submissions with that of Daudu, and prayed the court to allow him move an oral application for his client’s bail.
In contrary, Oyedepo said the bail application could not be taken because all the defendants are joined in the same charge.
Although the judge refused the oral bail application, stating that defendants should file written bail applications before the court.
She adjourned hearing on Bello’s response to the court summon, or arraignment of the defendants, to November 14 and 20.