The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, sought an adjournment in the fresh case it instituted against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The anti-graft commission reminded the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
The EFCC, however, admitted Bello’s co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to bail and prayed to the court for an extension of time for the 1st defendant to appear.
At the resumed hearing, counsel for the EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, said the order of the court, given on October 3, had not elapsed.
He also told the counrt that the November 20 date earlier given was not convenient for the prosecution counsel.
Counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, who confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution, said he had no objection to the application for adjournment. The 3rd Defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, concurred.
The prosecution counsel also asked the court to grant an application to paste the notice of hearing on the last known address of the 1st defendant.
After listening to all counsels, the presiding judge, Justuce Maryann Anenih granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment, including the hearing notice. She also adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.
The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the anti-corruption commission.
