Justice Nwite Strikes Down Bello’s Application, Orders Arraignment to Proceed

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a motion filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello seeking to delay his arraignment on an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The decision, made on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, was detailed in a statement released by the EFCC on their official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Additionally, the court has called on the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to investigate Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, and Adeola Adedipe, SAN, for professional misconduct, citing their failure to fulfill their commitments to produce the former governor for arraignment.

Previously, on June 27, 2024, the court had set Wednesday for ruling on an EFCC application led by counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, seeking contempt charges against Mohammed and Adedipe. During the session, Mohammed argued for a stay of proceedings, claiming that appeals had been filed with the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. However, both prosecution and defense engaged in heated debates regarding the ruling.

Pinheiro argued that Bello’s lawyers were attempting to “arrest” the ruling by citing unresolved matters before the appellate court, urging the trial court to continue its proceedings.

Justice Nwite ruled on the EFCC’s application, directing the LPDC to investigate Mohammed and Adedipe for professional misconduct. He noted that the lawyers failed to honor their assurances to produce Bello for arraignment, describing the situation as warranting disciplinary review.

“Ordinarily, I would have taken this matter head-on, but I would prefer to refer the matter to the Legal Practitioner’s Disciplinary Committee to propose necessary recommendations and sanctions against the counsels,” stated Justice Nwite.

The judge also initially refused Adedipe’s request to withdraw from representing Bello but later granted it after Pinheiro’s passionate appeals, instructing Adedipe to file a formal application.

During the proceedings, Abdulwahab Mohammed indicated a willingness to bring Bello to court on the next adjourned date, although he did not make any formal commitment. Pinheiro informed the court that the prosecution would coordinate with other security agencies to ensure Bello’s presence in court, mentioning efforts to “extract the defendant from the Kogi State Government house where he is hibernating.”

Justice Nwite adjourned the case to September 25, 2024, for arraignment. Bello faces prosecution alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19 counts of money laundering totaling N80,246,470,089.88.