Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, until June 27.
The judge on Thursday fixed the date after Bello’s counsel Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, earlier informed the defence team that today’s proceeding would not be convenient.
When the matter was called, Adedipe, who was in court for another matter, expressed surprise that Oyedepo was actually in court after an agreement between the two parties that junior lawyers would be sent to pick a new date, at the instance of the EFCC lead counsel, Pinhero.
He said it seemed there was misalignment between the anti-graft’s lead counsel, Pinhero and Oyedepo, adding that Pinhero approached the defence lead lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, in his office, through a junior lawyer who also appeared in court alongside Oyedepo, that today’s hearing would not be convenient for them to proceed.
“What the prosecution has done this morning is an ambush to bring the defendant once again to the realms of social media.”
He insisted that it was at Pehinro’s behest that the matter be adjourned until June 27 for arraignment.
He said but for the decision of the EFCC to seek an adjournment to a future date for his arraignment, the ex-governor was ready to appear in court today.
