The arraignment of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was stalled on Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, due to the absence of his defence counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN).
Bello told the court that he was only made aware of the case on Thursday night and was unable to get across to his lawyer.
In the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Bello will face a 19-count charge of money laundering totalling N84 billion.
At the hearing on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite noticed the absence of the defence counsel and inquired about his whereabouts.
Bello informed the court that he only learnt of the arraignment late Thursday night and was unable to reach his legal team.
EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, had wanted the court to proceed with the arraignment, but the judge declined.
“What the law requires is the presence of the defendant, not the presence of his lawyers,” Pinheiro had argued, but Justice Nwite said the defendant’s right to fair hearing was more important.
“The matter came up on the 30th of October 2024. It was adjourned to 21st January 2025. From the statement of the defendant, his lawyers are not aware of today’s date. In the interest of fair hearing, I will not proceed for arraignment,” Justice Nwite said.
The court waited for 45 minutes, but with no sign of the defence counsel, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to December 3.
