Yahaya Bello heads to Supreme Court over EFCC charges

The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has headed to the Supreme Court over the money laundering charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was disclosed by A.M. Adoyi, a lawyer to Bello during a session at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adoyi while making an appearance for the former governor had sought the court’s adjournment on the money laundering trial.

He urged the court to overturn the arrest warrant issued for the trial on the matter on April 17.

The lawyer informed the court that the Court of Appeal’s ruling which directed Bello to appear before Justice Nwite for arraignment, had been challenged at the Supreme Court.

He told the court that a September 23 affidavit of record has also been filed in connection with the appeal.

Adoyi said, “The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment.

According to Adoyi, this will also prevent rendering the appellant’s appeal null or pulling the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court.

While the EFCC’s council objected to his submission, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment until October 30, 2024, for a ruling on the appeal made by Bello.

Justice Emeka Nwite said with the submission made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other on the appeal and arraignment of the former governor.