On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested that the hearing for new charges against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two others be postponed until November 14, 2024.
At the Federal Capital Territory High Court, EFCC’s Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, noted that a Public Summons had been issued for the first defendant during the last session, which was to be both published and posted. Justice Maryann Anenih clarified that only the summons was requested, not the charge itself.
Expecting the first defendant to appear on November 14, Oyedepo referred to the 30-day period of the summons and sought an adjournment for the arraignment of all three defendants. However, Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing the second defendant, objected, asserting that they were prepared for arraignment and should be treated as individuals.
Daudu condemned the tactic of using one defendant as leverage against another. A.M. Aliyu, SAN, representing the third defendant, echoed this sentiment and requested that his client’s bail application be considered. Oyedepo responded that the bail application couldn’t be entertained due to the joint nature of the charges, which included conspiracy.
He insisted on postponing the hearing to November 14, also mentioning a pending application regarding the second defendant’s fundamental rights. Daudu argued that the delay was contrary to fair hearing principles, asserting that prolonged waits would be ineffective. The judge refused the oral bail application but instructed the defendants to submit formal written requests, scheduling further proceedings for November 14 and 20 to address the first defendant’s response to the summons and/or arraignment.