The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday postpones arraignment of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello in the fresh criminal case instituted against him.
Appearing before the Justice Maryann Anenih-led Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, the EFCC told the Court that the 30-day window was still running after the earlier summon issued, hence, his arraignment should be adjourned.
Meanwhile the co-defendants in the case, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were granted bail after the anti-graft agency prayed to the Court to have Yahaya Bello appear before it for formal arraignment.
The lead Counsel to the EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, said the order of the court, given on October 3, was running actively, adding that the November 30 earlier given for the arraignment was inconvenient for the prosecuting counsel.
Counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, who confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution, said he had no objection to the application for adjournment. The 3rd Defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, concurred.
The prosecution counsel also asked the court to grant an application to paste the notice of hearing on the last known address of the 1st defendant.
After listening to all counsels, the presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment, including the hearing notice. She also adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.
The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the anti-corruption commission.
