Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has appealed to the Supreme Court to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring him wanted. Bello faces a 19-count money laundering charge related to an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Bello was scheduled for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. However, his legal team, led by A.M. Adoyi, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court, urging the trial court to delay the arraignment until the Supreme Court resolves the appeal. The appeal seeks to overturn the April 17 arrest warrant issued against Bello.
Adoyi emphasized that proceeding with the arraignment could undermine the Supreme Court’s authority, urging the court to wait for the outcome of the appeals, SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024.
EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), accused Bello’s defense of undermining the judiciary and urged the court to refer Bello’s lawyer to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for sanction. Pinheiro criticized the defense for delaying the trial and pointed out that Bello had shown reluctance to present himself for arraignment.
Pinheiro also argued that Bello’s brief visit to the EFCC, accompanied by a high-ranking official with immunity, was not a genuine attempt to submit himself for interrogation.
Justice Nwite has adjourned the matter until October 30 for a ruling.