EFCC Seeks Legal Action Against Yahaya Bello’s Senior Advocates Over Alleged Contempt of Court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to take legal action against two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Abdulwahab Mohammed and Adeola Adedipe, for alleged professional misconduct and contempt of court.

The EFCC accuses the lawyers of failing to honor a commitment made in court to ensure the presence of their client, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, during his scheduled arraignment. In an application presented by their lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, the EFCC asserted that Mohammed and Adedipe deliberately obstructed Bello’s appearance, thereby impeding the judicial process.

Pinheiro SAN urged Justice Emeka Nwite to enforce Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners, emphasizing the need to uphold the court’s integrity and discipline the accused lawyers appropriately.

Highlighting his extensive legal career spanning 38 years, Pinheiro SAN underscored the unprecedented nature of such deliberate disrespect towards the judiciary in his experience.

In response, Adedipe, opting to represent himself, expressed his desire to withdraw from representing Bello in the ongoing criminal trial.