The previous Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not responsible to the 16-count cash laundering costs earlier than the Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja.
Bello pleaded not responsible earlier than Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday following his arraignment by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC).
The EFCC had earlier utilized to arraign Bello in his absence earlier than Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal Excessive Court docket sitting in Abuja.
Bello and others had been accused of conspiring in February 2016 to transform N80,246,470,088.88, allegedly obtained via a prison breach of belief, violating Part 18(a) and punishable underneath Part 15(3) of the Cash Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
What Transpired in Court docket
Nairametrics stories that as we speak’s case adopted over 4 proceedings wherein the ex-governor was absent attributable to pending authorized disputes raised by his authorized workforce in greater courts.
- On the resumed sitting EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged Justice Emeka Nwite to approve the studying of the costs to Bello.
- Pinheiro’s request was not opposed by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu SAN.
- The ex-governor pleaded not responsible to all of the 19-count costs as learn to him by the registrar.
- Bello’s lawyer, Daudu then mentioned since he’s main the brand new workforce of protection attorneys, he needs to state that his shopper didn’t intentionally refuse to seem in courtroom however reasonably directed his attorneys to legally problem the jurisdiction of the trial courtroom as much as greater courts.
“With respect, my shopper didn’t disrespect the courtroom. Issues are clearer now” Daudu mentioned.
- In search of for his bail, Daudu requested the courtroom to notice that the defendant as a two-term governor of his state solely traveled out two occasions.
- He pledged that his shopper can be in courtroom all through the trial and wouldn’t bounce bail.
The EFCC didn’t oppose the request for bail, saying it’s on the courtroom’s discretion.
What You Ought to Know
Nairametrics stories that the EFCC and different safety companies have declared Bello wished, citing their lack of ability to trace his whereabouts or arrest him.
- The EFCC later accused the Kogi State authorities of utilizing its “immunity” to defend Bello.
- In the meantime, the events are earlier than greater courts for redress concerning Bello’s arraignment. Regardless of this, the EFCC instituted one other fraud case towards Bello on the FCT Excessive Court docket.
This matter is separate from the N100 billion prison case Bello and others are dealing with earlier than the FCT Excessive Court docket.
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