Court Adjourns Ruling Against Yahaya Bello To May 10.

Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned till May 10 for ruling in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion, while, at the last hearing, Justice Emeka Nwite had adjourned for arraignment and ruling after Bello failed to show up in court for his arraignment.

On this ground, Justice Nwite ordered the EFCC to serve a copy of the proof of evidence and charge against Bello on his counsel while he Cited Section 382(4) and (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and ordered that the counsel who had announced unconditional appearance for Bello be the one to receive the service of the charge.

Abdulwahab Mohammed who last week had declared unconditional appearance for Bello however initially declined to accept the charge as he had instructed a junior lawyer in his team to receive it, while, Justice Nwite however insisted that he accepts it, adding that, the law allows for substituted means of service in a situation where it becomes practically impossible to effect personal service of a legal process on a defendant.

Justice Nwite held that this could be done by handing the same to either his counsel or any adult in his household, and the court cannot assume jurisdiction in the absence of effective service of the Originating Summon, stressing that, service of any process of court on a defendant is fundamental to ensure jurisdiction.