A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has fixed November 14 for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear before it.
On October 3, the court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, had issued a public summons for Bello to attend court and answer to a fresh 16-count charge boarding on criminal breach of trust the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against him and two others – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The three were alleged to have diverted about N110.4 billion.
At the mention of the case yesterday, lawyer to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), recalled that the court, on the last date, issued a public summons against Bello and directed that the summons be published in a widely circulating newspaper and copies of the public summons be pasted on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places in the premises of the court.
Oyedepo said he had expected the ex-governor to be in court yesterday, even though the 30-day duration of the summons would expire on November 14.
He applied orally for an adjournment till November 14 for the arraignment of the three defendants.
Lawyer to Oricha, Joseph Daudu (SAN), objected to Oyedepo’s application, arguing that the case was scheduled for arraignment.
Daudu said his client was ready to proceed, adding that the defendants were independent and should be so treated.
Lawyer to Hudu, Mohammed Aliyu (SAN), agreed with Daudu’s position, positing that in the alternative, he would ask the court to hear his client’s application for bail.
Responding, Oyedepo faulted the position of both defence lawyers, arguing that the court could not hear the application for bail because the charge was a joint charge.
He noted that there are counts of conspiracy in the charge and urged the court to adjourn till November 14.
Oyedepo noted that Oricha has filed an application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, which has been served on him.
He argued that the application for bail could not be taken until the defendants were arraigned.
Daudu asked the court for a date for the hearing of his client’s fundamental rights enforcement application.
Ruling, Justice Anenih refused the oral application for bail and ordered the defendants to file written formal applications for bail.
She adjourned till November 14.
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