Extended Court Ruling Slows Trial of Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello At FCT High Cour

Courtroom drama was recorded on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama division, during the ongoing trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Justice Maryann Anenih had earlier delivered judgment in a
civil matter before calling the criminal case between the Federal Republic of
Nigeria and Bello.

Kemi Pinheiro, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, appeared as
counsel to the prosecution in the case.

Z. E. Abbas, counsel to the third defendant, was preparing
to commence cross-examination of the prosecution witness when the court
indicated that it would rise by 2:30pm.

The court, however, said it could consider granting an
additional 30 minutes if counsel would be able to conclude the
cross-examination within that period.

Responding, Pinheiro urged the court to extend the sitting
time to enable the defence to conclude the cross-examination and allow the
prosecution to call a fresh witness on the next adjourned date.

Pinheiro said all parties had arrived in court as early as
9:00am but proceedings were delayed because the court first delivered judgment
in another matter.

He said the parties had waited for about four hours while
the court carefully read the entire judgment in open court.

Pinheiro said, “My Lord, I was actually pitying Your
Lordship while reading the entire judgment for almost four hours.

“At the Supreme Court, the practice is that only the first
three pages and the last four pages are read during the delivery of judgment.

“That approach saves time and also helps to preserve the
health and energy of the court.”

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Wednesday and
Thursday for continuation of cross-examination and further hearing in the
trial.

However, the judge directed that the case be placed as
number two on the cause list for the following day, despite earlier discussions
in court.

Aprokorepublic