Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing in the alleged money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to January 21, 2025.

At Wednesday’s resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro informed the court that two witnesses were present and requested the court to enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of Bello, even in his absence, as permitted under Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Pinheiro argued that Bello has the right to enter a plea and can waive that right, stating that the plea would allow the prosecution to substantiate the allegations.

However, Bello’s counsel, Michael Adoyi, objected, stating that no application should proceed without Bello’s arraignment, in line with an existing court order. Adoyi emphasized that the court must not be pressured to aid the prosecution in arraigning the defendant and argued that criminal proceedings require the defendant’s physical presence.

Adoyi urged the court to reject the EFCC’s application, noting that the provisions of the ACJA cited do not waive the need for Bello’s physical presence. The EFCC counsel countered by asking the court to overrule Adoyi’s objections and proceed with entering a plea of not guilty.

Justice Nwite indicated that a ruling may not be feasible within the year and set January 21, 2025, for the ruling and/or arraignment of the defendant. In a related ruling, Justice Nwite upheld his previous order requiring Bello’s appearance in court, dismissing an application to suspend proceedings due to a pending Supreme Court appeal, which he ruled as an abuse of judicial process.