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Former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello was on Friday, brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arraignment without his lawyers in court.
Bello was brought to the court by the anti-graft agency to take his plea in the 19-count charge, bordering on money laundering of the sum of N80.2 billion preferred against him.
However, drama erupted when the charges were about to be read to him and the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite discovered that the defendant had no legal representation.
Bello told the court that he got to know about the arraignment late Thursday night and hence, could not reach any of his lawyers.
Although the EFCC represented by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN insisted that Bello be arraigned, Justice Nwite refused the request on the ground that such would amount to a breach of Bello’s fundamental rights to fair hearing.
Justice Nwite said he was mindful of the claim of the defendant that he got to know about the arraignment late Thursday night.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite while rejecting the arraignment adjourned till December 13, 2013, and directed that Bello should be in EFCC custody till the date.
Justice Nwite also ordered that hearing notice must be served on Bello’s lawyers to enable their attendance in court on the next adjourned date.
