Court Declines EFCC Request To Arraign Yahaya Bello In Lawyers Absence
By Vivian Michael, Abuja
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Friday, declined to Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) request to arraign the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in the absence of his counsel.
Bello, who has been evading arrest by the prosecution was brought to court for arraignment to take his plea but without no legal representation.
Bello told the court that he got to know about the arraignment late Thursday night and hence, could not reach any of his lawyers. Responding, counsel to the EFCC Kemi Pinheiro, insisted that Bello be arraigned with or without his lawyer.
However, Justice Nwite refused the request on the ground that such would amount to a breach of Bello’s fundamental rights to fair hearing.
The court insisted that it is refusing to go ahead with the arraignment on the premise of the claim of the defendant that he got to know about the arraignment late yesterday night.
Justice Nwite also ordered that hearing notice must be served on Bello’s lawyers to enable their attendance in court.
Therefore, Justice Nwite fixed December 13, for arraignment and directed that Bello should be in the EFCC custody till the date.
