Court Rejects EFCC’s Request To Arraign Yahaya Bello In Absence Of His Lawyers

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, was presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment, but notably, he appeared without his legal counsel.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought him to court on Friday to enter a plea regarding new charges against him.

However, a situation arose when the charges were about to be presented, as Judge Emeka Nwite realized that the defendant lacked legal representation.

Bello informed the court that he had only learned of the arraignment late Thursday night, which prevented him from contacting any of his lawyers.

Despite the EFCC, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, urging that Bello be arraigned, Justice Nwite denied the request, citing that proceeding without legal counsel would infringe upon Bello’s fundamental right to a fair hearing.

The judge acknowledged the defendant’s assertion regarding the late notice of the arraignment.

In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite declined to proceed with the arraignment and scheduled the next hearing for December 13.

He ordered that Bello remain in the custody of the EFCC until that date and mandated that a hearing notice be served to Bello’s lawyers to ensure their presence in court.