A Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, adjourned the arraignment of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, till June 27.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after counsel to the ex-governor, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) lead lawyer, Kemi Pinhero (SAN), earlier informed the defence team that yesterday’s proceedings would not be convenient.
When the matter was called, Adedipe, who was in court for another matter, expressed surprise that Oyedepo was actually in court after an agreement between the two parties that junior lawyers would be sent to pick a new date, at the instance of Pinhero.
He said it seemed there was a misalignment between the anti-graft agency’s lead counsel and Oyedepo.
He claimed Pinhero approached the defence lead lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), in his office, through a junior lawyer, who also appeared in court alongside Oyedepo, that yesterday’s hearing would not be convenient for them to proceed.
His words: “And as senior counsel, it was best agreed by way of convenience for another date.
“It was agreed administratively that junior lawyers be sent to court today (yesterday) to formally take a date as agreed by parties for June 27.
“I personally also approached the registry to confirm this information and it was confirmed to me. That was why I told the court that my appearance today (yesterday) is for another matter.
Responding, Oyedepo disagreed with Adedipe.
He said he was not aware of any meeting that happened between their lead counsel and the defence.
Oyedepo said the order of the court at the last adjourned date was for Yahaya Bello to appear in court, adding that he was not aware of any meeting between Pinhero and Abdulwahab, where it was agreed that the matter should be adjourned till June 27.
This later degenerated to a shouting match between the two counsel on who is right and wrong as well as the position to be taken by the court.
However, a senior lawyer, Simon Lough, who came for another matter, stood up to intervene.
He said it was unnecessary for senior colleagues to be attacking each other in court on a simple matter.
He noted that since Adedipe had explained why the defendant was not in court, a new date should be agreed on.
Lough said at the new date, the court could inquire from the prosecution’s lead counsel on what transpired.
He advised the lawyers to stop the argument in order not to waste the time of the court on other matters.
The Counsel to the defendant later apologised to both the court and the Prosecution team for the absence of Yahaya Bello in court, said his absence was due to the agreement between counsels.
Oyedepo also apologised to the court for the altercation and urged the court to document the apology of the defense counsel for not producing the defendant in court.
Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the case to June 27 on agreement of counsel after an undertaking that the defendant would appear on the next adjourned day.