THE former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyers exchanged hot arguments at the Federal High Court, in Abuja on Wednesday, July 17, on the planned arraignment of the former governor, forcing the judge, Emeka Nwite, to leave in anger.
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Bello, who is facing an alleged N82 billion fraud case, was not available at the court to defend the charges brought against him by the EFCC.
However, the case took a different turn when two senior advocates, Abdulwahab Mohammed, representing Bello, and Kemi Pinheiro, representing the EFCC, were involved in a heated argument during the proceedings.
The argument arose when Mohammed declared his appearance for the former governor without including his associate, Adeola Adedipe.
Pinheiro objected to the omission and argued that Adedipe should remain a part of the proceedings until the court released him.
Pinheiro’s argument was interrupted by Adedipe, who insisted he was unprepared to participate in the proceedings.
Mohammed also interjected and said Adedipe had submitted a notice of withdrawal from the lawsuit.
As the judge was about to deliver a ruling on the controversy, Bello’s lawyer stood up and demanded to be allowed to stay outside the proceedings if the court proceeded with the ruling.
Peeved by the demand, Mohammed called Pinheiro a lawyer who takes pleasure in deceiving the court.
Despite efforts to stop him from continuing with the altercation, Mohammed threatened to leave the courtroom if the judge gave the ruling.
Following the hot exchange, the judge abruptly ended the proceedings by going straight to his chamber.
Recall that Bello lost his bid to transfer the case from Abuja to his state.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, on Monday, July 8, dismissed Bello’s application seeking the transfer.
Tsoho concurred with the EFCC’s argument that the case should remain in Abuja.
Bello is being prosecuted on 19 counts for allegedly misappropriating public funds, breach of trust, and money laundering.
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