The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to try the two attorneys representing former governor Yahaya Bello for professional misconduct and contempt of court.
Abdulwahab Mohammed and Adeola Adedipe, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, were charged with professional misconduct and contempt of court for promising to present their client in court but failing to do so in open court.
In a motion filed by its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, the EFCC accused the two senior attorneys of obstructing Bello’s arraignment by preventing him from appearing in court.
The EFCC’s lead counsel expressly requested that Justice Emeka Nwite use Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in the Country to discipline the two attorneys while also protecting the court’s integrity and respect.
According to Pinheiro SAN, the two attorneys are reportedly utilising their understanding of the law and processes to sabotage the former governor’s trial on the criminal allegations against him.
The EFCC counsel, who claimed to have spent 38 years as a lawyer and 19 years as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed Justice Nwite that in his 38 years of practice, he has never witnessed attorneys purposely degrade the same court.
In response, Adedipe, who took the time to defend himself in the case, asked to withdraw from appearing for the former governor in the trial.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
