YAHAYA BELLO DRAGS EFCC TO SUPREME COURT

 

Yahaya Bello has taken the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Supreme Court! This development comes after Bello was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,088.88 . The charges include conspiracy to convert proceeds of unlawful activity, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering .

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Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, was supposed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday for his arraignment, but things took a different turn. His lawyers, led by A.M. Adoyi, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that they've filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to quash the arrest warrant issued against Bello on April 17 .

Yahaya Bello's lawyer, A.M. Adoyi, has urged the trial court to suspend the planned arraignment, citing two appeals filed at the Supreme Court with numbers SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. Adoyi believes it's crucial to await the Supreme Court's decision to avoid rendering the appeal null or undermining the higher court's authority .

Apparently, Bello's team is challenging the arrest warrant, and they want the Supreme Court to settle the matter before proceeding with the arraignment. This development has led to an adjournment of the case until October 30, 2024 .

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello on 19-count charges of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion . The EFCC's counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, argued that Bello's lawyers are trying to delay the case unnecessarily, but Justice Nwite decided to wait for the Supreme Court's decision to avoid rendering the appeal null .

Justice Emeka Nwite has adjourned the case until October 30, 2024, to allow the Supreme Court to deliberate on the matter. This decision comes after EFCC's counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, argued that Bello's lawyers are stalling the trial, having already lost an appeal at the Court of Appeal on August 28 .

Case Background:

- Charges: 19-count money laundering charge

- Amount: N80.2 billion

- Arrest Warrant: Issued on April 17

- Appeals: SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024

It's worth noting that Bello's arraignment was initially met with resistance, with the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, ensuring he was spirited away in his official vehicle . However, the EFCC has remained committed to bringing Bello to justice.

The adjournment sets the stage for a crucial decision that could determine the course of the trial and set a precedent for future corruption cases .