The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned further proceedings in the money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, till January 21, 2015.
Trial Justice Emeka Nwite deferred the trial to enable him to rule on an application the anti-graft agency filed to be allowed to try the former governor in absentia.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the Commission was ready to proceed with the trial despite the unavailability of the defendant.
He alleged that every effort to get the defendant to voluntarily appear before the court to enter his plea to the 19-count charge against him proved abortive.
Pinheiro, SAN, added that two of the witnesses billed to testify in the matter were in court.
“Therefore, my lord, my first application is for this court to formally enter a plea of not guilty for the defendant, even in his absence.
“The second point is that, not withstanding his physical absence, such procedure will be in full compliance with Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
“It is our humble request that we be allowed to call our first witness,” the prosecution counsel added.
More so, he urged the trial judge to hold that the former governor had waived his right to stand before the court to personally enter his plea to allegations against him.
