By Uche Onyeali
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday sought for adjournment in the fresh case it instituted against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, saying the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
It, however, admitted his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to administrative bail and prayed the court for extension of time for Defendant 1 to appear.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court, Abuja, counsel to EFCC, Jamiu Agoro said the order of the court given on October 3 had not elapsed.
“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on November 27,” Agoro told the court.
He also noted that the November 20 date earlier given was not convenient for the prosecution counsel.
Counsel to the second 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 third 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 first defendant.
After listening to the counsels, the judge granted EFCC’s application for adjournment, including the hearing notice.
“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant, issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” she said.
Justice Anenih thereby adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.
The former governor, alongside Oricha and Hudu, are being prosecuted as first to third defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.
