A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a request to adjourn proceedings in the case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two co-defendants until November 14.

The application for adjournment was presented by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the EFCC, before Justice Maryann Anenih. Bello, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are facing a 16-count charge related to alleged financial crimes.

During the hearing, Oyedepo informed the court that a public summons had been issued against Bello, which required publication and posting.

However, Justice Anenih clarified that she had not ordered the charges to be posted alongside the summons. Oyedepo acknowledged his expectation that Bello would be present in court despite the summons' 30-day duration expiring on November 14.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing Oricha, opposed the adjournment request, asserting that the arraignment was scheduled for that day and that all defendants should be treated independently.

He criticized the prosecution's approach, stating, "You cannot be using somebody as a human shield when they are not in hostage," and argued for the discharge of defendants present if the prosecution was unprepared.

Mohammed Aliyu, SAN, counsel for Hudu, supported Daudu's position and requested bail for his client. However, Oyedepo countered that bail applications could not be considered until after arraignment due to the joint nature of the charges.

Daudu argued that delaying proceedings infringed on the defendants' right to fair hearing and highlighted their previous administrative bail with the EFCC. He accused the EFCC of abusing court processes by seeking remand at a magistrate court while this case was ongoing.