Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has requested that the case against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) be transferred to Kogi State...READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶▶▶
He argues that since the alleged allegations occurred during his tenure as governor of Kogi State, it is appropriate to have the case tried in the state.
The EFCC has accused Bello of financial misappropriation and misuse of public funds totaling N80.2 billion during his time in office. He is facing a 19-count charge related to money laundering and breach of trust.
In the meantime, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Adeola Adedipe, has applied to withdraw from the case and represent Yahaya Bello as his lawyer.
Adedipe made this request after Bello failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment.
The EFCC has urged the trial judge to take action against Bello’s lawyers for not fulfilling their promise to ensure his presence for trial.
Lead counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, requested that the two senior lawyers who have been representing the former governor be punished for breaching professional conduct rules.
Pinhero, SAN, cited Order 31(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners, which states that a lawyer who fails to comply with a court undertaking is in contempt and guilty of misconduct.
“My lord, our application is that since one of the lawyers is present in court, he should be moved to the dock and dealt with him summarily, that is what the law says.
“We urge the court to exercise disciplinary jurisdiction over the lawyers so as to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.
“If a Chief Justice of Nigeria can be docked before an inferior tribunal, who then is an SAN or a former governor in terms of status?
“Even a former President of the United States of America was docked. These senior lawyers have been helping the defendant to treat this court with scorn.
“For five consecutive sittings, the defendant refused to make himself available for his trial and his lawyers have continued to use all forms of chicanery to frustrate his arraignment.
“If this sort of conduct is not punished, then we will be sliding to a situation that will be worse than the Animal Farm.
“The world is watching. Punishing these senior lawyers will send a very clear message,” stated the EFCC’s lawyer.
In response, Adedipe, SAN, denied being Bello’s lead counsel and refuted making any promises to ensure Bello’s presence at trial.
“My lord, the narration by the prosecution counsel is very untrue and it is accentuated by malice. I am not the lead counsel in this matter.
“What the learned prosecution counsel has tried to do was to pitch my person against this court,” Adedipe argued.
The EFCC counsel insisted that it was too late for the defense lawyer to withdraw from the case.
“My lord, he should be used to set an example that this is not a lottery game. His request to withdraw is only an afterthought and it should not be countenanced by this court.[ ALSO NOTE: WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THE ARTICLE HERE..]
“I urge your lordship to invite him to the dock immediately,” the prosecution counsel concluded....CONTINUE. FULL. READING>>>
