A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to June 27.
Justice Emeka Nwite set the new date after the defense counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, had previously indicated that today’s session was not feasible.
When the case was called, Adedipe, attending court for another matter, was surprised to see Oyedepo present, despite an earlier agreement that junior lawyers would reschedule the arraignment on behalf of the EFCC lead counsel, Mr. Pinhero.
Adedipe noted a communication lapse between the anti-graft’s lead counsel, Pinhero, and Oyedepo.
He stated that Pinhero, through a junior lawyer who appeared in court with Oyedepo, had requested that the hearing be postponed to June 27.
He said: “And as senior counsel, it was best agreed by way of convenient for another date.
“It was agreed administratively that junior lawyers be sent to court today to formally take a date as agreed by parties for June 27.
“I personally also approached the registry to confirm this information and it was confirmed to me. That was why I told the court that my appearance today was for another matter.
“What the prosecution has done this morning is an ambush to bring the defendant once again to the realms of social media.”
Adedipe emphasized that the former governor was prepared to appear in court today, but the EFCC’s request necessitated the adjournment.
“Under 266 of ACJA, there are instances when defendants don’t need to come and this is one of them.
“We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide,” Adedipe said.
Oyedepo, however, contested Adedipe’s claims, stating he was unaware of any such meeting between their lead counsel and the defense.
Senior lawyer Simon Lough, present for another matter, intervened to suggest that senior counsels should avoid arguing over a straightforward issue. He recommended setting a new date as proposed by Adedipe and suggested the court inquire about the situation from the prosecution lead counsel then.
Justice Nwite then adjourned the case to June 27, following an agreement from both counsels, with an assurance that the defendant would appear on the next scheduled date.
