Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Case To January 2025.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The arraignment, initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been rescheduled to 21 January 2025.
During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested to enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of Bello in his absence. Pinheiro argued that this action complied with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), asserting that a plea can be entered without the defendant being present in court. However, Michael Adoyi, representing Bello, challenged this, citing a recent court order requiring the defendant’s presence for any plea to be entered. Adoyi contended that the EFCC’s approach disregards due process and would set a concerning precedent in criminal trials.
Justice Emeka Nwite acknowledged the arguments but stated that a ruling would likely not be possible this year, setting 21 January as the next hearing date. This delay aligns with the defence’s request to await a Supreme Court decision on an ongoing appeal concerning Bello’s arraignment.
