Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has declined an offer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to suspend the execution of an arrest warrant issued against him by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The warrant, issued on April 17, stemmed from a money laundering charge pending against him.
Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), speaking before the Federal High Court in Abuja, rejected the offer made by EFCC’s Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), deeming it legally unacceptable. Pinheiro had proposed that if Bello attended court physically, the arrest order would be suspended. However, Adedipe argued that such an offer was not recognized by law.
Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the EFCC’s application for the service of the charge on Bello through substituted means, despite objections from Bello’s lawyer. The charge and accompanying documents were then handed to Bello’s lead lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN).
Adedipe subsequently applied orally for the vacating of the arrest warrant, citing legal provisions. However, Pinheiro objected, citing procedural rules that require the defendant to be arraigned before any such applications can be entertained.
In response, Adedipe argued for the court to exercise its inherent powers to hear the applications filed by the defendant, emphasising the unfairness of expecting Bello to appear in court while facing an arrest warrant.
Mohammed, also representing Bello, argued that the EFCC’s legality is in question, contending that the agency’s creation should have been ratified by all State Houses of Assembly. However, Pinheiro refuted this argument, asserting that the EFCC’s legality had already been settled.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case until May 10 for a ruling on the matter.
