The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, facing a 19-count charge, has requested to be tried in Kogi. In a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, Bello, through his legal team led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, argued that only the Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to handle his case, which was brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During a resumed proceeding on Thursday, Bello did not appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea. His lawyer, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed trial Justice Emeka Nwite about the letter sent to the Chief Judge.
Addressing the court, Adedipe stated, “My lord, following the last adjourned date, I reported to our team, and I was informed that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting an administrative transfer of this matter to the Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe has the appropriate jurisdiction. This letter was received, and the Chief Judge’s office notified the prosecution team to provide a response by June 13. As of this morning, I am unaware of any response from the prosecution or any decision on this request by the CJ.”
The EFCC, represented by Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, urged the court to demand an explanation for Bello’s absence, noting an undertaking made on June 13 to ensure his presence. Pinhero dismissed the defence lawyer’s explanation as a delay tactic and requested the court to hold the senior lawyers accountable for contempt.
Bello, who served as governor for eight years, is charged with money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of approximately N80.2 billion in public funds. He, along with his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, is accused of complicity in money laundering.
Despite previously failing to appear for arraignment, Bello’s legal team filed an application to set aside an arrest warrant issued on April 17 and challenged the court’s jurisdiction. Bello claims the EFCC violated a subsisting judgment from a Kogi State High Court when it filed charges against him and sought his arrest.
Although the court declined to vacate the arrest warrant on May 10, it allowed Bello the opportunity to voluntarily present himself for arraignment.
