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Drama unfolded on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama judicial division, during proceedings in the trial of 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.

Four-hour judgment reading delays Yahaya Bello’s trial at FCT High Court