On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested an adjournment in the new case it filed against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The anti-graft agency reminded the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons was still in effect.
The EFCC did, however, grant bail to Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and requested an extension for the 1st defendant’s appearance.
During the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro noted that the court’s order issued on October 3 had not yet expired. He also informed the court that the previously scheduled date of November 20 was unsuitable for the prosecution.
Aliyu Saiki, SAN, counsel for the 2nd defendant, confirmed that his client had received administrative bail from the prosecution and raised no objections to the adjournment request. The counsel for the 3rd defendant, ZE Abass, agreed.
The prosecution additionally requested the court’s permission to post a notice of hearing at the 1st defendant’s last known address.
After considering the statements from all counsels, presiding judge Justice Maryann Anenih approved the EFCC’s adjournment application, including the notice of hearing. She then rescheduled the case for arraignment on November 27.
The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing prosecution as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a new 16-count charge brought against them by the anti-corruption commission.
