The Abuja division of the Federal High Court stated on Friday that it will not hear the application filed by Kogi State’s immediate governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, until the April 17 order for his arrest, which still stands, is followed.
Justice Emeka Nwite held that Bello must appeared in court and pleaded to a 19-count money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.
In a verdict issued on Friday, May 10, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that Bello’s repeated reluctance to appear in court, as well as his frustration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) efforts to execute the arrest order, were disrespectful to the court.
The Judge equally rejected the request by counsel to Bello, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN) that further proceedings in the case be stayed pending the determination of the appeal by the EFCC in relation to a contempt case before a High Court of Kogi state, sitting in Lokoja.