Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, has requested that Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, move his trial for alleged money laundering to Lokoja. Bello stated that he would prefer to be tried in Lokoja, where the alleged money laundering occurred.

At a resumed hearing on Thursday, 27 June 2024. Bello, represented by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a letter demanding the trial’s transfer, dated June 10, 2024, had already been handed to the Chief Judge for administrative determination.

Adedipe specifically stated that the request for Lokoja was made because the Federal High Court had territorial authority to hear the dispute in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State. Adedipe stated that the former Kogi Governor’s legal team was still awaiting the Chief Judge’s reaction to the request to relocate the case to Lokoja.

He stated that the prosecution had been notified, and their opinion was sought via a letter dated June 14, 2024, from the Chief Judge’s office. The letter, issued to Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was signed by Joshua Ibrahim Aji, Esq., Special Assistant to the Chief Judge.

However, the EFCC lead counsel, Dr Kemi Pinheiro, strongly opposed the motion for transfer, describing it as a ploy to stall the trial. The EFCC counsel sought Justice Emeka Nwite to hold Adeola Adedipe (SAN) and Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) accountable for their failure to produce their client in court, notwithstanding the undertakings they gave. The EFCC lawyer also asked that the two Senior Advocates be charged with contempt of court.

Meanwhile, the Court has set July 17 for the former Governor’s arraignment and a ruling on the EFCC’s plea to cite top lawyers for contempt. The EFCC seeks to charge Bello with 19 counts of alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and theft of funds totaling N80.2 billion.

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