Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has requested that his money laundering case be transferred from Abuja to Lokoja, Kogi State. Represented by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), Bello argued that the alleged offense occurred in Lokoja, and therefore the Federal High Court in Lokoja should have territorial jurisdiction over the matter.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Adedipe informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a letter requesting the transfer had been delivered to the Chief Judge for an administrative decision. The defense is awaiting a response from the Chief Judge. A letter dated June 14, 2024, from the Chief Judge’s office, signed by the Special Assistant Joshua Ibrahim Aji, was sent to the Counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), seeking their opinion on the transfer request.
However, the EFCC, represented by Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, strongly opposed the transfer request, describing it as an attempt to frustrate the trial. Pinheiro asked Justice Nwite to hold Adedipe and Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) responsible for not producing Bello in court, despite their undertakings. The EFCC lawyer also sought to have the senior advocates cited for contempt of court.
The court has scheduled July 17 for Bello’s arraignment and to rule on the EFCC’s request to cite the senior lawyers for contempt. Bello faces 19 counts related to alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds amounting to N80.2 billion.
