On June 27, 2024, the court scheduled July 17 for ruling on the EFCC’s application to hold Mohammed and Adedipe in contempt for failing to present Bello for arraignment. Despite Mohammed’s attempts to persuade the court to stay proceedings, arguing that appeals were pending at the Court of Appeal, Justice Nwite refused, emphasizing that the trial should not be halted while the appellate court had not ruled on the matter.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that Bello’s lawyers were attempting to delay the ruling and cited several authorities to support the continuation of the trial. Justice Nwite agreed, highlighting the lawyers’ failure to honor their commitment to produce Bello.
“I would prefer to refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for necessary recommendations and sanctions against the counsels,” stated Justice Nwite.
Initially, the judge refused Adedipe’s application to withdraw services from Bello but later granted it after Pinheiro’s appeal, directing Adedipe to submit a formal application.
Abdulwahab assured the court he would attempt to bring Bello to the next hearing, while Pinheiro noted the EFCC’s efforts to liaise with other security agencies to ensure Bello’s appearance in court.
The case has been adjourned to September 25, 2024, for arraignment. Bello, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces 19 charges related to money laundering totaling N80,246,470,089.88.
