The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday sought an adjournment of the hearing in its fresh charge against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others to November 14, 2024.

The co-defendants in the 16-count against the former Kogi governor are Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who appeared for the EFCC, reminded the court that at the last adjourned date, the court issued a public summons against the 1st defendant, directing that it be published and the charge pasted.

The presiding judge, Justice Maryann E. Anenih, interjected, stating that she did not order the charge to be pasted but only issued the public summons.

Oyedepo urged the court to adjourn the case to November 14, noting that Bello had until that date to comply with the summons.

He further explained that he expected the 1st defendant to be in court on November 14, referring to the 30-day duration of the summons, and requested an adjournment for the arraignment of the three defendants.

J.B. Daudu, SAN, who represented the 2nd defendant, objected to the adjournment.

He stated that the matter was set for arraignment and that they were ready, stressing that the defendants were independent and should be treated as such.

“You cannot be using somebody as a human shield when they are not in hostage. I don’t like this practice,” Daudu remarked.

A.M. Aliyu, SAN, representing the 3rd defendant, aligned with Daudu, SAN, and alternatively requested that the court consider his client’s bail application.

However, Oyedepo argued that the bail application could not be taken, as the charge was a joint charge.

He insisted on the November 14 adjournment and informed the court about an existing application for the enforcement of the 2nd defendant’s fundamental rights, noting that the oral application for bail could not be entertained.

Daudu, SAN, objected, arguing that this approach violated the principles of fair hearing.

“His argument is persuasive but does not align with the law. The idea that arraignment cannot proceed until every individual is present does not make sense to me.

“It is an affront to fair hearing because fair hearing allows us to raise any issue. Even if you keep them here for 10 years, it will have no impact.

“They have enjoyed administrative bail from the EFCC before, so it won’t hurt to grant them bail now,” Daudu contended.

The 2nd defendant’s counsel also requested a date to hear his client’s fundamental rights application.

While the judge denied the oral bail application, she instructed the defendants to submit formal, written applications.

Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to November 14 and 20 for the 1st defendant’s response to the summons and/or arraignment.

The 16-count charges include criminal breach of trust involving the alleged diversion of more than N110 billion entrusted to Mr. Bello during his tenure as Kogi State governor.

The EFCC alleged that Mr. Bello and his co-defendants diverted the funds in 2016, his first year in office.