Friday, May 2, 2025

Yahaya Bello: Court fixes Nov 14 for response to summons, arraignment

Must read

Ibrahim Ramalan
Ibrahim Ramalan
Ibrahim Ramalan is a graduate of Mass Communications from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. With nearly a decade-long, active journalism practice, Mr Ramalan has been able to rise from a cub reporter to the exalted position of an editor; first as Arts Editor with the Blueprint Newspapers before resigning in 2019; second and presently as an Associate Editor of the Daily Nigerian online newspaper. He can be reached via ibroramalan@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/ibrahim.ramalana, or @McRamalan on Twitter.
- Advertisement -
tiamin rice
tiamin rice

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s application for adjournment in a fresh charge against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, and two others until Nov. 14.

Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who appeared for the EFCC, made the oral application before Justice Maryann Anenih.

The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively in the 16-count charge.

tiamin rice

Mr Oyedepo informed the court that at the last adjourned date, the court issued a public summons against the former governor directing that same be published and that the charge be pasted.

Justice Anenih, however, interjected, stating that she did not gave an order that the charge be pasted alongside the summons.

Mr Oyedepo, who admitted, said he had expected the 1st defendant to be in court, even though the 30-day duration of the summons would be on Nov. 14.

READ ALSO:   EFCC arrests 6 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja

The anti-graft lawyer therefore sought for adjournment until Nov. 14 for arraignment of the three defendants.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, objected to Oyedepo’s application.

The senior lawyer insisted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment today, and that they were ready to proceed, arguing that the defendants were all independent and should be so treated.

“You cannot be using somebody as a human shield when they are not in hostage. I don’t like this practice,” he said.

He said that if the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the case, the defendants who were already in court, should be discharged.

Mohammed Aliyu, SAN, who represented the 3rd defendant, aligned with Daudu’s submission.

Mr Aliyu said in the alternative, he would be asking the court to take his client’s application for bail.

READ ALSO:   Northern governors salute Buhari at 78
whatsApp

Oyedepo, however, disagreed with the defence.

He said that the application for bail could not be taken as the charge was a joint charge.

According to him, there are counts of conspiracy in it.

The lawyer, who insisted that the court should adjourn to Nov. 14, said there was an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the 2nd defendant which was also served on him.

He argued that the application for bail cannot be taken until their arraignment.

Daudu, however, argued that Oyedepo’s position negated the principles of fair hearing.

“His argument is persuasive but does not go by what the law says.

“That until one individual appears before they can be arraigned. I don’t understand this kind of practice.

“It is an affront to fair hearing because the privilege of fair hearing allows us to raise any issue. Keeping them for 10 years will have no impact.
“They have enjoyed administrative bail before with the EFCC, so it won’t hurt their pride if they give them,” he stated.

READ ALSO:   Plateau govt imposes 24 hours curfew on Jos-Bukuru Metropolis

Besides, Daudu alleged that EFCC abused the court process when it obtained an order to remand the defendants at a magistrate court, even when the matter was already before the high court.

“That is the abuse,” he said.
The 2nd defendant’s counsel also asked for a date for fundamental rights application for his client.

Though the judge refused the oral application for bail, she said the defendants should come formally by filling applications in writing.

Justice Anenih therefore adjourned until Nov. 14 and Nov. 20 for response of the 1st defendant to summons and/or arraignment.
NAN

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest article

- Advertisement -