The saga surrounding former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and his ongoing legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) just took another twist. The stage was set at a Federal High Court in Abuja, where the judge decided to hit the snooze button on the proceedings, adjourning the case until January 21, 2025. Yes, you read that right. It seems like the only thing moving faster than this case is a sloth on a Sunday stroll.
As the courtroom buzzed with anticipation on Wednesday, things got a little dramatic. Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing the EFCC, was in the spotlight. He informed the court that his team was ready to roll, complete with two witnesses eager to take the stand. Pinheiro, perhaps channeling his inner lawyer superhero, made a bold move: he entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Bello—even with Bello conspicuously absent from the courtroom.
Talk about a power move! “My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty on the defendant’s behalf, even in his absence,” Pinheiro boldly stated. Apparently, he believes that just because Bello was missing in action doesn’t mean his innocence should be up for negotiation. He argued that this was fully in line with Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). If only everyone could get away with things while not being present—you’d never have to attend another boring family dinner!
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However, the other side of the courtroom didn’t take too kindly to Pinheiro’s antics. Michael Adoyi, Bello’s defense attorney, sprang into action like a knight defending his castle. Adoyi claimed that allowing the prosecution to proceed without Bello present was against the court’s earlier order. “The application is made contrary to the subsisting order of this honourable court,” he declared with the conviction of a seasoned attorney who’s seen one too many courtroom dramas.
Adoyi continued driving home his point, emphasizing that the court should remain a fair and impartial space for both sides. “Our first point of response to the application made by the learned senior counsel to the complainant is…” and here comes the legal jargon, “the court cannot demonstrate any helplessness in any proceeding.” Right, because we all know helplessness is as appealing in a courtroom as a root canal.
The tension grew as Adoyi argued that in a criminal trial, there are distinct rules in play compared to civil proceedings. He quoted Supreme Court decisions to back himself up, saying, “The application made by the learned senior counsel for the complainant is a dangerous invitation to this honourable court.” Sounds like the courtroom is not just a venue but a battleground!
While sparks flew, Pinheiro was not about to back down and told the judge to sweep Adoyi’s claims under the rug. He pushed for the court to dismiss the defense’s arguments about Bello’s absence and to just get on with ruling that, you guessed it, his client was not guilty. You almost wonder if Ballyhoo (Bello’s nickname) has a fan club in the courtroom after the level of enthusiasm everyone seems to have for his alleged crimes!
Justice Nwite, perhaps feeling the weariness of the whole scenario, remarked, “It may not be possible to deliver this ruling this year.” Cue the internal collective sigh of everyone involved. After all, waiting has become the sport of choice in this courtroom.
As glances exchanged among the observers, Pinheiro proposed the date of January 21, 2025. Mark your calendars, everyone! It seems we have an appointment with legal history that will take place… well, in two years.
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But let’s rewind to the previous session—on September 25—when it was revealed that the matter of Bello’s arraignment was part of an appeal before the Supreme Court. Adoyi reminded everyone present that the most sensible course of action is to wait for the big guns (a.k.a. the Supreme Court) to weigh in before proceeding any further. In this game of legal chess, it seems that patience is both a virtue and a necessary evil.
To paint a vivid picture, imagine a courtroom filled with anticipation akin to a movie premiere, except instead of glitzy gowns and celebrities, there are stern faces, stacks of papers, and lots and lots of legalese. Will Yahaya Bello finally make an appearance? Will the courtroom be graced with his presence next time? For now, the public watches on with popcorn in hand.
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In conclusion, as we edge closer to 2025, one thing is for sure: the Yahaya Bello vs. EFCC saga is far from over. Whether you’re a fan of high-stakes drama or just curious about the proceedings, keep an eye on this case. After all, it’s shaping up to be quite the legal tale worthy of its own courtroom reality show—who needs “The Real Housewives” when you have this?
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