The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission until October 30, 2024, for a ruling.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment following Bello’s move to appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.

During the hearing, defence counsel A.M. Adoyi informed the court that the matter of Bello’s arraignment, which is under appeal, had been taken to the Supreme Court.

He noted that the Court of Appeal ruling on August 28, which directed Bello to appear before Justice Nwite for arraignment, had been challenged at the apex court.

Adoyi also brought the court’s attention to the September 23 affidavit of record filed in connection with the appeal.

“The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” He said.

The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro wasn’t having any of it. He told the court that the defendant and his counsel had turned the court into a place for entertainment.

He said the various applications are a gross abuse of court, he urged the trial judge to use his powers and sanction Adoyi for contempt of court and being irresponsible.

Pinheiro said, “The first thing I want to say is that this court is not vaudeville (a vaudeville is a place of variety entertainment). No party must turn a court into a vaudeville, that court must resist it.

“This court has adjourned four times for the defendant to appear for arraignment.

“The defendant has refused to respect the Constitution and this court. Rather than respect the sanctity of this court, the defendant and his solicitors have deployed all manner of deception to achieve a purpose.”

Arguing against the defendant’s applications, Pinheiro said, “They have three applications on this – two before your lordship and one before the Supreme Court. I will now urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him.”

“Secondly, an appeal the defendant filed at the court of appeal disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence on their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on the 28th of August this year.

“The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The appellant shall not take any further steps until he submits himself. But they took another step. The appellant was ordered to present himself for arraignment and not take any further steps on this until he honours this order.”

He added, “Mr Adoyi has now filed an application before your lordship in total disregard against the lordship’s orders that said they should not take any further steps until the defendant appears for his arraignment. He has shown total disregard and scorn.

“Consequently sir I will be urging your lordship to hold Mr Adoyi in contempt and refer Mr Adoyi and Adewale to the legal practitioners disciplinary committee for sanctions” Pinheiro said.

Adoyi, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which is the arraignment, “is subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.”

“In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue,” he urged the court.

Justice Emeka Nwite said with the submission made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other.

He said he would have to adjourn to rule on the matter.

He, therefore, adjourned the matter to October 30 for ruling and arraignment.

Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, has recused herself from presiding over the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

A recuse means a judge excusing himself or herself from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or a perception of bias.

At the resumed court session on Tuesday, Kanu directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the federal government, had told the court that he had a witness in court and was ready to proceed with trial.

Awomolo had also sought the protection of the witness.

While the court was setting up a protection screen to shield the witness, Alloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu, told the court that his team was not ready to proceed with the trial.

Ejimakor said his client has consistently been denied the opportunity to adequately prepare for his defence.

While the lawyer was still addressing the court, Kanu yelled from the dock, asking Ejimakor to sit down.

“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” the defendant bellowed from the dock.

Facing the judge, Kanu said: “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the supreme court”.

“I can understand it if the Department of State Services (DSS) refuses to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the supreme court is regrettable.

“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case.”

Although the prosecution urged the court to proceed with the trial, Nyako said she would go with extricating herself from the case.

She said she would be sending the case file back to the chief judge for reassignment and further necessary actions.

“I hereby recuse myself and remit the case file back to the chief judge,” she held.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to confirm Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The president’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

Kekere-Ekun has been in the office in acting capacity since August following the retirement of Olukayode Ariwoola as CJN. The president had sworn her into the office in acting capacity.

Tinubu premised his request on 231(1) of the constitution.

“Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate,” the number one citizen said.

“I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN.

“While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.”

Akpabio referred the request to the committee of the whole to consider on Wednesday.