Alleged Money Laundering: Yahaya Bello Drags EFCC to Supreme Court

Background of the Case

Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, has taken legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by dragging the agency to the Supreme Court. This follows the EFCC’s declaration of him as wanted in connection with a 19-count charge involving alleged money laundering totaling N80.2 billion during his tenure in office.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Bello was scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment. However, his legal team, led by A. M. Adoyi, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of a pending appeal at the Supreme Court, filed on September 23. This appeal seeks to set aside an arrest warrant issued against Bello on April 17. Adoyi urged the trial court to suspend the arraignment until the Supreme Court renders its decision, arguing that proceeding could invalidate the ongoing appeal.

Response from EFCC

The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, reacted sharply to Bello’s legal maneuvers, suggesting that Bello’s attorney should be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for sanctions. Pinheiro accused the defense of undermining the judiciary’s integrity, asserting that the court had previously stated it would not entertain any applications from Bello until he appeared for trial. He described the defense’s actions as a display of “audacity of irresponsibility” and called for the court to assert its authority.

Concerns Over Trial Avoidance

During the proceedings, the prosecution expressed concerns regarding Bello’s failure to appear for trial. They highlighted his admission of visiting the EFCC’s office while allegedly accompanied by an individual with immunity, raising the possibility of chaos if an attempt were made to arrest him. The prosecution underscored that Bello had ignored an invitation to appear alone later in the day.

Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter, scheduling a ruling for October 30. The upcoming decision will be pivotal in determining the next steps in this high-profile case.

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