On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested a delay in the hearing of new charges against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two others, rescheduling it for November 14, 2024.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the EFCC at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, informed the court that during the previous session, a Public Summons was issued for the first defendant, which was to be published and posted. However, Justice Maryann Anenih clarified that she only requested the summons, not the charge itself.
Oyedepo anticipated the first defendant’s appearance in court on November 14, referring to the 30-day timeframe of the summons, and thus sought to postpone the arraignment of all three defendants until then. Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing the second defendant, objected, stating they were ready for arraignment and argued that each defendant should be treated independently.
Daudu criticized the practice of using one defendant as leverage against another, while A.M. Aliyu, SAN, representing the third defendant, supported this view and requested a bail application for his client. Oyedepo countered that the bail request couldn’t be addressed as the charges involved conspiracy.
He reiterated the need for an adjournment to November 14, noting there was also a pending application concerning the second defendant’s fundamental rights. Daudu insisted that the situation contradicted fair hearing principles, emphasizing that delays wouldn’t serve justice. The judge denied the oral bail request but instructed the defendants to submit formal written applications, adjourning the proceedings for November 14 and 20 for the first defendant’s response to the summons and/or arraignment.