By correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday 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, 2025.
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.
