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Bello Request To Stand Trial In Kogi

The former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who is currently facing a 19-count charge, has penned a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting permission to stand trial in Kogi.

Bello, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, emphasized that the territorial jurisdiction to hear the allegations raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, lies only with the Lokoja Division of the high court.

When the case resumed on Thursday, Bello did not show up at the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea to the charge against him.

But a lawyer, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, who appeared on his behalf, brought to the attention of Justice Emeka Nwite a letter that his client had written to the CJ.

Addressing the court after the case was called, Adedipe, SAN, stated, “Your honor, following the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I returned and briefed our team on what had transpired in court.

“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 transfered 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 of honourable CJ wrote the prosecution team through Mr. Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps has been activated, whereof he was directed to provide a response to the request for transfer of the matter.

“My lord, as of this morning, I am not aware whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance to the directive of the CJ.

“I am also aware that this administrative directive of the CJ has been formally communicated to this court.

“We have filed an affidavit wherein we attached two documents referencing the details that I have just highlighted.

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

The EFCC, represented by its lawyer Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, asked the court to require the defense attorney to clarify why the defendant was not in court, despite promising on June 13 to ensure his presence for arraignment.

The EFCC requested the court to reject the defense lawyer’s explanation as a delay tactic and another effort to disrespect the court.

The senior solicitors for the defendant made an undertaking, which the EFCC counsel said was not fulfilled in the letter to the CJ. 

Pinhero, SAN, went on to say that actions on cases that are still before the judge continue even in cases where a petition against the judge is sent to the National Judicial Council, NJC. 

As a result, he requested that the court invite the two senior solicitors working for the former governor to provide justification for not being charged with contempt of court.

After leading Kogi state’s affairs for eight years, Bello is now being charged with money laundering, breach of trust, and embezzlement of public monies totaling over N80.2 billion. 

The former governor, his nephew Ali Bello, and two other people, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, were accused by the EFCC of participating in money laundering.

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