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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned to January 21, 2025 the hearing against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over an alleged laundering case .
Counsel of the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro on Wednesday applied for the Court to formally enter a plea of not guilty by Yahaya Bello even in his absence to speed up the hearing.
He said his application is in compliance with Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.
Michael Adoyi, who appeared for the ex-Kogi governor opposed the application saying that no provision of ACJA excuses the need for physical presence of a defendant in a criminal trial such as that against Yahaya Bello.
The Judge, Emeka Nwite, thereafter adjourned to 21st January for ruling on the application by the EFCC and/or arraignment.
Recall that on September 25, the Counsel to Yahaya Bello had told the court that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject of appeal at the Supreme Court
He insisted that the appropriate thing to do is await the decision of the Apex Court.
Yahaya Bello had applied to the Supreme Court to set aside an arrest warrant issued against him by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
This warrant is related to charges of money laundering amounting to ₦80.2 billion.
