The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, until June 27, following developments in court. The adjournment was decided after counsel for the ex-governor, Adeola Adedipe, informed the court about inconveniences raised by the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, regarding proceeding with today’s hearing.
Adedipe expressed surprise at the presence of EFCC counsel, Oyedepo, as an agreement had been made for junior lawyers to arrange a new date. He highlighted a miscommunication between Pinheiro and Oyedepo, stating that the arrangement was for a more convenient date, agreed upon administratively for June 27.
Adedipe clarified that under Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), defendants do not necessarily need to appear in court for certain proceedings, emphasizing that they had come solely to fix a date, not to challenge the process.
In response, Oyedepo disagreed with Adedipe’s account, asserting he was unaware of any such agreement between counsels. Senior lawyer Simon Lough intervened, urging against further discord in court and suggesting that a new date be agreed upon.
Justice Emeka Nwite eventually adjourned the case to June 27, based on the mutual agreement of counsels, with an undertaking that Alhaji Yahaya Bello would appear on the next adjourned date. This decision aimed to facilitate a smoother legal process without unnecessary delays or controversies.