On Thursday, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeola Adedipe applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to withdraw his representation for the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. Bello is facing a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of approximately N80.2 billion in public funds.
Due to Bello’s absence at his scheduled arraignment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested that the trial judge penalize Bello’s lawyers for not ensuring his presence in court as promised. Lead EFCC counsel Kemi Pinhero, SAN, argued that the lawyers violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Order 31(3), by failing to fulfill their undertaking.
Pinhero urged the court to discipline the lawyers to uphold the judiciary’s integrity, noting past instances where high-ranking officials faced legal repercussions.
In response, Adedipe, SAN, denied being Bello’s lead counsel or making any promise to ensure Bello’s attendance. He contended that the EFCC disrespected the court by not executing an arrest warrant for Bello. Adedipe then invoked section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to withdraw his appearance for the defendant.
The EFCC, however, argued that Adedipe’s withdrawal was a belated attempt to evade responsibility and urged the court to reject his request and discipline him.
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, has yet to rule on the matter.
