Yahaya Bello: Court Fixes Date For Arraignment, Response To Summons

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on Thursday, fixed November 14 and 20 for response to summons issued on the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others to appear before it for arraignment.

Bello was to be arraigned alongside Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalmi Hadu, on a 16-count charge of money laundering, fraud and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N110bn, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, Oricha and Hadu were listed in the suit as 1st to 3rd defendants.

At Thursday’s resumed proceedings, counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the court, at the last hearing, issued a public summons against the 1st defendant directing that same be published and that the charge be pasted.

Justice Maryann Anenih, however, interjected, stating that she did not ask that the charge be pasted, just the summons.

Oyedepo said he expected the 1st defendant to be in court on November 14, making reference to the 30-day duration of the summons, and therefore sought for adjournment till November 14 for arraignment of the three defendants.

However, Joseph Daudu, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, objected, stating that his client was ready for arraignment, adding that as an independent defendant, he should be treated independently.

“You cannot be using somebody as a human shield when they are not in hostage. I don’t like this practice,” he said.

A.M. Aliyu, who represented the 3rd defendant, aligned with Daudu, and submitted that, in the alternative, he would be asking the court to take his client’s application for bail.

Oyedepo, however, said that the application for bail could not be taken as the charge was a joint charge, as there are cases of conspiracy in the suit, insisting that the court should adjourn till November 14.

The EFCC counsel also informed the court of an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the 2nd defendant and that the oral application cannot be taken.

The 2nd defendant’s counsel, Daudu, however, insisted that this negated the principles of fair hearing.

“His argument is persuasive but does not go by what the law says. That until one individual appears before they can be arraigned. I don’t understand this kind of practice.

“It is an affront to fair hearing because the privilege of fair hearing allows us to raise any issue. Keeping them for 10 years will have no impact.

“They have enjoyed administrative bail before with the EFCC, so it won’t hurt their pride if they give them,” he stated.

The 2nd defendant’s counsel also asked for a date for fundamental rights application for his client.

Though the judge refused the oral application for bail, she said the defendants should come formally by filling applications in writing.

Justice Anenih therefore adjourned to 14th and 20th November for response of the 1st defendant to summons or arraignment.

Yahaya Bello: Court Fixes Date For Arraignment, Response To Summons is first published on The Whistler Newspaper