The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, facing a 19-count charge, has written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting to face his trial in Kogi State.
Through his legal team led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, Bello argued that only the Lokoja Division of the Federal High Court has the territorial jurisdiction to handle the allegations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the resumed proceedings on Thursday, Bello did not appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea. Instead, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, represented him and informed trial Justice Emeka Nwite about the letter sent to the Chief Judge.
Adedipe explained that the letter requested the case be transferred to the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which they believe holds the proper jurisdiction.
Adedipe stated that the Chief Judge’s office received the letter and had instructed the prosecution, led by Mr. Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to respond to the transfer request.
Adedipe indicated that as of the morning of the proceedings, there was no confirmation whether the prosecution had responded or if any decision had been made by the Chief Judge. He emphasized that his role was to present these facts to the court, not to make any immediate requests.
On the other hand, the EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, urged the court to compel the defence to explain why Bello was not present in court, despite a previous commitment to ensure his attendance. Pinhero argued that the letter to the Chief Judge did not absolve the defendant’s obligation to appear in court as agreed.
Pinhero suggested that the letter to the Chief Judge should not delay the proceedings and requested the court to consider holding the defence lawyers accountable for contemptuous conduct. He also highlighted that even when a petition is sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against a judge, it does not halt ongoing cases.
Bello, who governed Kogi State for eight years, is accused of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion. The EFCC alleges that Bello, alongside his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, were involved in money laundering activities.
Previously, Bello failed to appear for his arraignment and had instructed his lawyers to file an application to set aside an arrest warrant issued on April 17.
He also challenged the court’s jurisdiction to try him. Bello claimed that the EFCC violated a High Court judgment in Kogi State by filing charges and seeking a bench warrant for his arrest.
Despite the court declining to vacate the arrest warrant in a ruling on May 10, it allowed Bello the opportunity to voluntarily present himself for arraignment.
