The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed July 17 and 18 to resume hearing in the alleged N3 billion fraud charge filed against Ali Bello and three others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date on Tuesday following an application for adjournment filed by the defendants.
Bello is a nephew of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
He was, on February 8, 2023, arraigned by the anti-graft agency alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyadai Sadat, on an 18-count charge.
The court, on February 20, 2023, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N500 million.
When the matter in the suit marked ABJ/CR/573/2022 was called for hearing on Tuesday, defence counsel, Ms. Marianne Ediawe, informed the court that she filed the application on May 26, 2023 and served same on the EFCC.
The application informed the court that one of the lead defence counsel, A. M. Aliyu (SAN), would be appearing at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the day of the hearing, while another lead counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), was recuperating from an ailment.
Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), conceded to the adjournment. Justice Egwuatu consequently adjourned till June 17 and 18 for continuation of trial.
