Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, faced another setback in court as Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja declined his request to vacate the arrest warrant issued against him.
The ruling came after Bello’s plea to discharge the warrant was heard by the court.
Justice Nwite stated that Bello’s consistent absence for arraignment in a criminal case constituted contempt of court, rendering him ineligible for any leniency or special treatment.
The judge emphasized the gravity of Bello’s defiance, stressing that it undermined the authority of the judicial system.
The court dismissed Bello’s argument challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the criminal charges against him.
Justice Nwite clarified that Bello must first appear for arraignment and have his plea recorded before pursuing any legal motions.
Bello had previously attempted to argue that the arrest warrant was unnecessary, citing the acceptance of the criminal charges on his behalf by his lead counsel.
However, the court stated that Bello’s physical presence is necessary for arraignment.
