Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deliver a copy of the charge against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohamed.
This decision comes after Bello failed to appear in court for his arraignment on Tuesday. He was notably absent for the arraignment on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to ₦84 billion.
Relying on section 384 (4 and 5) of the Administrative and Criminal Justice Act 2015, the judge directed the legal representative of the former governor to receive a copy of the charge.
The court emphasized that if it becomes impossible to personally serve a legal process on a defendant, alternative means can be employed.
Justice Nwite noted the clear failure of the former governor to appear in court for his arraignment.
Lead counsel to the anti-graft agency, Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, presented the application.
Despite initial reluctance from Bello’s lawyer, Mohammed, to accept the charges and evidence, he was compelled to do so by Justice Nwite.
The judge dismissed the request by the senior lawyer for a junior colleague, AI Musa, to accept the charges on behalf of the former governor.
Last week, Justice Nwite issued a bench warrant against Bello following an application by the EFCC.
Consequently, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted for consistently failing to appear in court and evading the criminal charges against him.
