The Federal High Court in Abuja will rule on May 10th on the application by former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking vacation of his arrest warrant, issued by the court.
Bello, in the application, argued that the arrest warrant has become unnecessary, since his lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, has accepted the service of the criminal charge on his behalf.
The proposed trial of former governor Yahaya Bello, in respect of the alleged N80b Naira fraud charge against him was slated for this Tuesday, with a ruling on the application, seeking to set aside the warrant of arrest on him.
Counsel for Yahaya Bello, Abdulwahab Mohammed, told the court that they were still not properly served.
The judge rejected the plea by the senior lawyer, and ordered that the charge be served on the counsel on Bello’s behalf, having unconditionally appeared in court for Bello, filled processes on his behalf, and acknowledged receipt of the charge in writing.
The defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, in another two pending applications, wants the court to vacate the warrant of arrest on Bello, and the issue of jurisdiction.
While urging the court to vacate the warrant of arrest, Adedipe argued that the warrant was issued in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in violation of Yahaya Bello’s fair hearing.
EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinero, insisted that the warrant can only be vacated on the day Yahaya Bello appears in court to take his plea.
In the alternative, Pinero wants Adedipe to give an undertaking to produce Yahaya Bello in court on the next adjourned date for arraignment, and promises that the EFCC will not execute the arrest warrant issued.
But the offer was rejected on the ground that it was not necessary, as well as unknown to any law.
After listening to the argument, Justice Nwite fixed May 10 for the ruling on the application.
Justice Nwite had issued a bench warrant against Bello, following an application to that effect by the EFCC, and it subsequently declared the former governor wanted, for his persistent absence in court, and evading the criminal charges against him.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
