The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who is facing a 19-count charge from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has formally requested to have his trial moved to Kogi State.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, Bello’s legal team, led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, asserted that the Lokoja Division of the Federal High Court holds the territorial jurisdiction necessary for his case.
Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, representing Bello, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja about the letter and noted that administrative steps had been activated following the Chief Judge’s receipt of the request. However, no decision has been made yet.
In response, EFCC counsel Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the request, pointing out that Bello had failed to appear in court despite a previous commitment to do so.
Pinhero emphasized that the letter to the Chief Judge did not absolve Bello of his obligation to appear and called for the court to address what he described as contemptuous conduct by Bello’s lawyers.
Bello, accused of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling N80.2 billion, had earlier sought to set aside an arrest warrant issued against him and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
Despite his initial nonappearance, the court had granted him an opportunity to voluntarily present himself for arraignment.
