By Milcah Tanimu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to June 27, 2024.

Justice Emeka Nwite, SAN, granted the adjournment following a request from Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN. Adedipe informed the court that the lead counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had indicated that Thursday’s proceedings would be inconvenient for the EFCC.

Adedipe expressed surprise that the EFCC’s junior counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, was present in court, contrary to their prior understanding. He stated, “As senior counsel, it was best agreed by way of convenience for another date. It was agreed administratively that junior lawyers be sent to court today to formally take a date as agreed by parties for June 27.”

He explained that his presence in court was for another matter, emphasizing that the prosecution’s actions were an ambush to draw unnecessary media attention. Adedipe insisted that the adjournment to June 27 was agreed upon at the behest of Pinheiro.

In response, Oyedepo denied any knowledge of such an agreement. Senior lawyer Simon Lough intervened, suggesting that the matter should not devolve into conflict between senior counsels and that a new date should be agreed upon without further argument to avoid wasting the court’s time.

Justice Nwite then adjourned the case to June 27, with an agreement from both sides that the defendant would appear on the new date.