A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in the money laundering case brought against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to January 21, 2025.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, said he had two witnesses already in court. He said his first application was to formally enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant, even in his absence. 'My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty to the defendant, even in his absence. The second point is, not withstanding his physical absence, it is in full compliance with Section 276 of ACJA.
'The court cannot demonstrate any helplessness in any proceeding and if at all helplessness exists in this proceeding, that helplessness is demonstrated by the prosecution,' he said. Adoyi argued that the court, in a criminal trial, is distinct from the prosecution. Citing Supreme Court verdicts on similar matters, he said, 'The application made by learned senior counsel for the complainant this morning is a dangerous invitation to this honourable court.
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