The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has petitioned a Federal High Court in Abuja to initiate legal proceedings against the two lawyers representing Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State.
The lawyers, Abdulwahab Mohammed and Adeola Adedipe, are both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
They have been accused of professional misconduct and contempt of court.
According to the commission, Mohammed and Adedipe made a commitment in open court to produce their client.
However, they failed to honour this promise.
Rule 31
An application was presented by the lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN.
In the application, the EFCC claims that the two senior lawyers intentionally prevented Bello from appearing in court.
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By so doing, they obstructed his arraignment.
The EFCC’s lead counsel made a specific request.
He prayed Justice Emeka Nwite to enforce Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners.
This is to penalize the two lawyers and uphold the integrity and dignity of the court.
Pinheiro SAN has stated that the two attorneys are accused of leveraging their legal expertise and understanding of court processes to obstruct the former governor’s criminal trial.
EFCC Vs Yahaya Bello
The EFCC legal representative, who boasts 38 years of legal experience and an additional 19 years as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed Justice Nwite that he has never witnessed lawyers, as members of the judiciary, intentionally disrespecting the court in his 38-year career.
In reply, Adedipe, who chose to defend himself in the case, requested to be excused from representing the former governor in the ongoing trial.
