Adeolu Adedipe, the lawyer representing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, has filed a motion to withdraw as his legal representative in the ongoing 802 billion naira fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>

The Commission had brought a 19 count charges of money laundering and misappropriations of public funds Yahaya Bello who toughed himself as the youth representative in the Buhari government.

Bello was to be arrainged before Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday but was absent from the Court for the fourth time.

At the resumption of the matter, Adeola Adedipe  (SAN) explained that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the Chief Judge of the federal High Court, James Tsoho requesting that the case be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court , Lokoja Division.

The EFCC was angered by Bello continued absent from Court, thus asked the Judge to penalise his lwayers for not ensuring their client’s appurtenance in court. The Commission cited Order 31(3)  of the Rules of Professional Conduct which states that lawyers who fail to comply with undertaken made before the Court are in contempt and guilty of misconduct.

The EFCC then asked the court to dock Adedipe but in response, Adedipe argued that EFCC was responsible the defendant absent in Court, citing sections 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The Court will rule on the 17 July 2024, with the Judge mandating Bello’s legal team ensue his appearance  him to Court.

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