Kogi Fraud: EFCC Drags Yahaya Bello’s Lawyers to Court, Files Fresh Charges Against SANs
- The EFCC has boldly moved against the lawyers defending former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello
- Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on his alleged complicity in money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds of about N80.2billion
- Following his absence in court for his scheduled arraignment, the EFCC has requested the trial judge to dock his lawyers for failing to fulfil an undertaking to ensure his availability for trial
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
FCT, Abuja - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to prosecute the two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) defending Yahaya Bello, for alleged professional misconduct and contempt of court.
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The anti-graft agency accused the lawyers, Ifedayo Adedipe and Abdulwahab Muhammed, of failing to honour their commitment to produce the immediate-past Kogi state governor for arraignment.
In an application by its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, the EFCC accused the two senior lawyers of frustrating Bello's arraignment by deliberately shielding him from appearing in court, The Nation reported.
Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello is currently on the run from the EFCC after he was accused of diverting over N80 billion belonging to Kogi state during his term as governor.
Why Bello's lawyers should be sanctioned
Justice Emeka Nwite had adjourned until Thursday, June 28, based on the SANs’ promise to produce Bello, who was absent again.
In a swift reaction to the development, the EFCC’s lead counsel specifically asked Justice Nwite to invoke Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners in the country to sanction the two lawyers and protect the sanctity and respect of the court.
Pinheiro said the two lawyers have allegedly been using their knowledge of law and procedures to frustrate the trial of the former governor following the criminal charges against him.
The judge adjourned till July 17 to rule on EFCC’s application that the two defence counsel be cited for contempt.
Yahaya Bello seeks transfer of EFCC's case to Kogi
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Yahaya Bello requested that the case the EFCC was pursuing against him be transferred to the state.
On Thursday, June 27, Bello said considering he was alleged to have committed the offence when he was the governor of the state, it was proper for the matter to be treated in Kogi.
This was after the EFCC asked all security agencies to place Bello on their watch list to prevent him from leaving the country “through any land, air or sea borders.”
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
