By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, adjourned sitting on the alleged N80bn fraud charge against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to December 13, 2024 for the motion for abridgment and possible arraignment.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the sitting in the interest of fair hearing, noting that the matter had been originally adjourned to January 21, 2025.
When the matter was called on Friday, the former Governor was asked why his lawyers were not in court.
He said he was only informed of the sitting late Thursday night and so could not contact his lawyers to be at the court.
The EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, insisted that the Defendant’s plea be taken.
He maintained that what the law requires is the presence of the Defendant, not the presence of his lawyers but the judge declined.
While delivering a short ruling, Justice Nwite said, the matter came up on the 30th of October 2024 and was adjourned to 21st January 2025.
The Judge said from the statement of the Defendant, his Lawyers are not aware of today’s date and therefore adjourned the matter In the interest of fair hearing.
He directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the defendant’s counsel, while the Defendant should remain in the EFCC’s custody till December 13.
It will be recalled that at the last hearing on October 30, Justice Nwite had adjourned arraignment to January 21, 2025.
But the EFCC had applied for the abridgment of the adjourned date initially fixed for arraignment.
The Defendant’s lawyers were, however, not put on notice.