Transfer My Case With EFCC To Kogi – Yahaya Bello Begs Court

The former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, currently under a 19-count indictment, has submitted a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting his trial in Kogi.

In the letter, which was drafted by his legal team, including Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Bello argued that the Lokoja Division of the High Court is the appropriate venue to consider the allegations made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

During the continuation of the case on Thursday, Bello did not show up in court in Abuja to present his defence to the charges against him.
Nonetheless, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, appointed to represent Bello, highlighted the letter he had sent to the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, regarding his client’s request for a trial in Kogi.

Addressing the court after the matter was called, Adedipe, SAN, said, “My lord, after the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I went back and reported what happened in court to our team.

“However, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting, in substance, that this matter be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe have territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.

“That letter was received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers, and the office of the honourable CJ wrote the prosecution team through Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps had been activated, of which he was directed to respond to the request for transfer of the matter.

“My lord, as of this morning, I am curious to know whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance with the directive of the CJ.
“We also have not received any decision made on this request by the CJ. I also know that CJ’s administrative directive has been formally communicated to this court.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

“We have filed an affidavit, including two documents referencing the details I have just highlighted.

“My duty is first to the court. I am not urging anything from the court, but to present the facts as they were,” Adedipe, SAN, added.

The EFCC, represented by its legal advisor, Mr Kemi Pinhero, SAN, requested the court to compel the defence attorney to explain why the defendant was absent from court despite promising to be present for the arraignment on June 13.

He asked the court to disregard the defence attorney’s excuse as a delay tactic and a sign of disrespect towards the court.

Pinhero argued that the defendant’s promise to the CJ did not fulfil the commitment made by the senior lawyers for the defendant.

He also stated that when a complaint is made against a judge to the National Judicial Council, NJC, it does not halt the ongoing cases of the judge.

As a result, he sought the court’s permission to question the two senior lawyers for the former governor on why they should not be held in contempt for their disrespectful behaviour.

Bello, who was in charge of Kogi state for eight years, is on trial for his alleged involvement in money laundering, breach of trust, and the misappropriation of public funds, amounting to approximately N80.2 billion.

The EFCC claimed that the former governor, his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, were involved in money laundering.

Although the ex-Kogi governor failed to appear in court for his arraignment, he instructed his lawyers to seek a court order to dismiss the arrest warrant issued against him and to contest the court’s authority to try him.

The former governor argued that the EFCC violated an existing order from the High Court in Kogi State when it filed charges against him and sought a court order for his arrest.

Despite the court’s decision on May 10 not to cancel the arrest warrant, it allowed the defendant the chance to appear for his arraignment voluntarily.