The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set a new date for the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The hearing on the alleged money laundering charges will now take place on June 27.
According to Naija News, this change was made by the EFCC without prior consultation with Bello’s legal team.
At a recent hearing, Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, explained that the EFCC attorneys had previously reached out to the defense’s lead counsel, Aliyu AbdulWahab, SAN. They informed him that the initial date of June 13 was inconvenient for them, leading to the rescheduling.
Adedipe expressed surprise when EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo appeared in court, stating, “The EFCC had agreed to send a junior counsel to court to formally set a new date, as confirmed by the court registry. Our lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, had been in touch, indicating that today was not suitable.”
Despite the EFCC’s decision to postpone, Bello was prepared to appear in court on Thursday. Adedipe clarified, “According to Section 266 of the ACJA, defendants are not always required to be present, and this is one such instance. We came to set a new date, and it was the prosecuting counsel who requested this, not us. We have nothing to hide.”
