Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has expressed his readiness to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to respond to the 19-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Despite his absence during his scheduled arraignment, Bello's legal team briefed the court on his behalf, citing his apprehension of potential arrest as the reason for his non-appearance.
Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, a member of Bello's legal team, informed the court that the defendant wished to attend the proceedings but was concerned about an impending arrest order.
Adedipe argued for the court to revoke the arrest warrant, emphasizing that the charge had not been properly served on his client at the time the warrant was issued.
Furthermore, Bello's legal team contested the legality of the EFCC, asserting that the agency's establishment did not follow constitutional protocols.
They argued that the EFCC Act required ratification by the Houses of Assembly of the states, which had not been obtained.
In response, EFCC's lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to reject Bello's application, insisting that the arrest warrant should remain in effect until the defendant appeared for arraignment. Pinheiro argued that Bello's actions were delaying tactics aimed at frustrating the legal process.
The EFCC refuted Bello's claims of illegality, stating that the Supreme Court had already settled the issue.
They emphasized that the charges against Bello pertained to alleged misappropriation of public funds for personal gains, including the purchase of properties and overseas transfers.
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