Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, who is facing a case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to adjourn the ongoing proceedings indefinitely.
Additionally, Bello has asked the court to lift the arrest order on him until his appeal, filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, is decided upon. In a letter written by his lawyer, Musa Yakubu, former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has made certain requests regarding his ongoing trial.
The letter, dated July 12, was addressed to Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, in anticipation of Bello’s arraignment on Wednesday, July 17. Bello, who is facing charges of laundering N80 billion, has expressed concerns about the potential outcome of his trial in his appeal. He is seeking to have the arrest warrant, which he believes was issued unlawfully on April 17, 2024, set aside.
Yahaya Bello have requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to adjourn his ongoing trial indefinitely and lift the arrest order on him. He has also appealed against his trial, expressing concerns about its outcome. Bello seeks to set aside the arrest warrant, return the case file for reassignment to another judge, and invalidate the service of the EFCC charge against him.
These requests were made through a letter written by his counsel. The appeal is in response to the decisions of the trial Federal High Court in Abuja.
Yahaya Bello has requested an indefinite adjournment of the ongoing proceedings in the charge against him, pending the determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In a letter addressed to Justice Nwite and copied to the National Judicial Council, Bello’s counsel responded to the EFCC’s request for a variation of the arrest warrant and specific directions for his arrest.
Bello’s counsel cited legal rules and precedents to argue against the EFCC’s application and highlighted a similar case where proceedings were stayed upon the filing of an appeal.