The planned arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, on alleged N82 billion fraud charges took a heated turn on Wednesday as two senior advocates engaged in a verbal clash during the proceedings.
The two lawyers involved were Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, representing Bello, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the federal government.
The conflict began when Mohammed announced his representation for the former governor but omitted his colleague, Adeola Adedipe, SAN. Pinheiro opposed this exclusion, arguing that Adedipe should remain involved in the proceedings until officially discharged by the court.
Adedipe interrupted Pinheiro, asserting that he did not wish to participate in the proceedings. Mohammed then interjected, stating that Adedipe had filed a notice of withdrawal.
As Justice Emeka Nwite was about to rule on the matter, Mohammed requested to be excused from the proceedings if the court continued with the ruling.
In a fit of anger, Mohammed labeled Pinheiro a rough lawyer who misleads the court and refused to apologize, threatening to leave if the Judge proceeded with the ruling.
The confrontation escalated, prompting Justice Nwite to abruptly end the proceedings and retreat to his chambers.
