Drama in court as EFCC lawyer “lectures” judge on how to deliver judgment

Drama ensued on Tuesday at the FCT High Court, Maitama judicial division, during proceedings in the trial of former Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Kemi Pinheiro, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), counsel to the prosecution in the case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Bello, urged the trial judge to limit the time spent delivering judgments.

Justice Maryann E. Anenih had earlier delivered judgment in a civil matter before calling the criminal case involving Bello.

Z. E. Abbas, counsel to the third defendant, was preparing to commence cross-examination of the prosecution witness when the court indicated that it would rise by 2:30pm.

The court, however, said it could consider granting an additional 30 minutes if counsel would be able to conclude the cross-examination within that period.

Responding, Pinheiro urged the court to extend the sitting time to enable the defence conclude the cross-examination and allow the prosecution call a fresh witness on the next adjourned date.

Pinheiro said all parties had arrived in court as early as 9:00am but proceedings were delayed because the court had to first deliver a lengthy judgment in another matter.

He said the parties waited for about four hours while the court read the entire judgment in open court.

Pinheiro compared the situation with the practice at the supreme court of Nigeria, where he said only parts of judgments are usually read during delivery.

He said: “My Lord, I was actually pitying Your Lordship while reading the entire judgment for almost four hours.”

Pinheiro added: “At the Supreme Court, the practice is that only the first three pages and the last four pages are read during the delivery of judgment.”

He said: “That approach saves time and also helps to preserve the health and energy of the court.”

Following the exchange, the court adjourned the matter to Wednesday and Thursday for continuation of cross-examination and further hearing in the trial.

However, the judge directed that the case would be placed as number two on the cause list for the following day despite earlier discussions in court.