The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 21, 2025, for the next ruling in the money laundering case against Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State. The case was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the court session yesterday, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, announced the presence of two witnesses and made a request to enter a plea of not guilty on Bello’s behalf, despite his absence from the proceedings. Pinheiro argued that this was in line with Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), emphasizing that the defendant’s physical presence was not necessary for the plea to be entered.
“The right to plead is one that can be waived by the defendant. My lord should hold that this right has been waived,” Pinheiro asserted, adding that entering a not guilty plea would enable the prosecution to present evidence to substantiate the charges.
However, Michael Adoyi, counsel for the defendant, objected, arguing that the prosecution’s application was contrary to a current court order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, which prohibits any applications without the defendant’s formal arraignment.
Adoyi emphasized that the court must remain impartial in criminal proceedings, and pointed out that any perceived “helplessness” in the proceedings was due to the prosecution’s approach.
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