A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to June 27,Daily Trust reports.
Justice Emeka Nwite set the new date after the ex-governor’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, had earlier indicated that today’s proceeding would be inconvenient.
When the case was called, Adedipe, present in court for another matter, expressed surprise that Oyedepo was in attendance despite an agreement between the parties that junior lawyers would attend to set a new date at Pinhero’s request.
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Adedipe explained that Pinhero had approached the defence’s lead lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, through a junior lawyer, indicating that today’s hearing would not be convenient.
“As senior counsel, it was best agreed upon to reschedule for a more convenient date,” Adedipe said. He added that junior lawyers were to formally request a new date, June 27, and that he had confirmed this arrangement with the court registry.
Adedipe argued, “What the prosecution has done this morning is an ambush to bring the defendant once again to the realms of social media.” He maintained that the adjournment request came from Pinhero and that the ex-governor was prepared to appear today but saw no point given the circumstances.
Under Section 266 of the ACJA, Adedipe noted that there are instances when defendants do not need to be present, asserting, “We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide.”
Oyedepo disagreed with Adedipe’s account, claiming no knowledge of any meeting between their lead counsel and the defence.
Senior lawyer Simon Lough intervened, suggesting it was unnecessary for senior counsel to attack each other over a simple matter. He recommended setting a new date based on Adedipe’s explanation and confirming the situation with the prosecution’s lead counsel later.
Justice Nwite then adjourned the case to June 27, with an agreement from both parties and an undertaking that the defendant would appear on the next adjourned date.
