A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeola Adedipe has applied to withdraw his appearance for the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Bello faces a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to approximately N80.2 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against Bello, who was absent for his scheduled arraignment.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, urged the court to hold Bello’s lawyers accountable for failing to ensure his presence in court, as per their undertaking.
Pinhero cited Order 31(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners, arguing that any lawyer who fails to comply with a court undertaking is guilty of misconduct and contempt.
He pressed for immediate disciplinary action against the lawyers to uphold the judiciary’s integrity.
“My lord, our application is that since one of the lawyers is present in court, he should be moved to the dock and dealt with summarily,” Pinhero asserted.
He emphasized the need to set an example, comparing the situation to past instances where high-ranking officials, including a former US President, faced legal proceedings.
Adedipe, however, refuted the claims, stating he was not the lead counsel and had not made any such undertaking. He accused the EFCC of malice and disrespecting the court by not executing the arrest warrant for Bello.
Given the circumstances, Adedipe invoked section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to withdraw from representing Bello.
In response, the EFCC insisted it was too late for Adedipe to withdraw, arguing his move was an afterthought and urging the court to reject his request.
Justice Emeka Nwite has yet to deliver a ruling on the matter.
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