A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an adjournment in a case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two others, pushing the next hearing to November 14.
News About Nigeria reports that during the proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC’s lawyer, requested the adjournment before Justice Maryann Anenih.
The former governor, along with co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces 16 counts of charges.
Oyedepo informed the court that a public summons had been issued for the former governor, which needed to be published and pasted.
However, Justice Anenih clarified that she had not ordered the summons to be pasted alongside the charges.
Oyedepo said he was disappointed that Bello was not present in court, despite the summons allowing him until November 14 for his appearance.
Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing the second defendant, opposed the adjournment request, stating the matter was set for arraignment and arguing that each defendant should be treated independently.
He criticised the prosecution for using one defendand as a “human shield” to delay the case.
Mohammed Aliyu, SAN, representing the third defendant, supported Daudu’s arguments and requested the court consider a bail application for his client. However, Oyedepo maintained that bail discussions could not proceed until after the arraignment, as the charges include conspiracy.
Justice Anenih denied the oral bail request but indicated that formal written applications for bail could be submitted.
The court adjourned the case until November 14 for the arraignment of all defendants and November 20 for the first defendant’s response to the summons.
