The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to September 25, 2024, despite an appeal regarding the court’s jurisdiction. Justice Emeka Nwite made the decision on Wednesday, emphasizing that the trial would continue regardless of the appeal filed by Bello’s legal team.
Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, argued for a stay of proceedings pending the appeal’s outcome, which contests an arrest warrant and other rulings by the trial court. He insisted that proceeding with the trial would contradict judicial principles, citing constitutional provisions over the EFCC Act.
EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the stay application, noting the lack of evidence from the Court of Appeal requiring the lower court to halt proceedings. Pinheiro urged the court to continue with the scheduled ruling on arguments presented in the previous hearing.
Justice Nwite raised concerns about judicial propriety, questioning whether continuing the trial amidst a jurisdictional dispute constituted “judicial rascality.” Despite this, Pinheiro countered that the appeal did not genuinely pertain to jurisdiction and was a strategic delay by the defense.
Mohammed responded, asserting the appeal’s significance in challenging the trial court’s jurisdiction from the outset. He argued that proceeding with the trial could lead to conflicts with the appellate court’s decisions.
Justice Nwite acknowledged his discretion in granting a stay of proceedings but highlighted prior appellate rulings supporting the continuation of the trial. He noted the defense’s attempt to use the appeal to delay justice, referencing past Court of Appeal decisions on similar matters.
The court also granted an application for the withdrawal of defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, and referred allegations of professional misconduct by the defense lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for investigation.
