Alleged fraud: Judge adjourns Yahaya Bello's trial
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama Judicial Division, on Tuesday adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello. The presiding
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama Judicial Division, on Tuesday adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
The presiding judge, Maryann E. Anenih, had earlier delivered judgment in a separate civil matter before calling the criminal case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Bello.
Kemi Pinheiro appeared for the prosecution, while Z. E. Abbas represented the third defendant in the matter.
Abbas was preparing to commence cross-examination of a prosecution witness when the court indicated that it would rise by 2:30 p.m. The court noted, however, that it could consider extending the sitting by 30 minutes if the cross-examination could be concluded within that period.
Responding, Pinheiro urged the court to allow additional time so that the defence could complete the cross-examination and enable the prosecution to call another witness on the next adjourned date.
He explained that all parties had arrived in court as early as 9:00 a.m., but proceedings were delayed after the court first delivered judgment in another matter.
According to him, the parties had waited for about four hours while the court read the judgment in open court before the criminal case was called.
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Pinheiro said, “My Lord, I was actually pitying Your Lordship while reading the entire judgment for almost four hours.
“At the Supreme Court, the practice is that only the first three pages and the last four pages are read during the delivery of judgment.
“That approach saves time and also helps to preserve the health and energy of the court.”
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Wednesday and Thursday for continuation of cross-examination and further hearing in the trial.
However, the judge directed that the case would be placed as number two on the cause list for the following day, despite earlier discussions in court.
