The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has requested that his trial for alleged money laundering be moved to Lokoja.
He has submitted this request to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
Bello, through his counsel Adeola Adedipe SAN, expressed his preference for Lokoja as the location for the trial since the alleged offense occurred there.
During a court session on Thursday, Adedipe informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a formal letter requesting the transfer had been sent to the Chief Judge for consideration.
Adedipe argued that the Federal High Court in Lokoja has the proper territorial jurisdiction to handle the case.
He also mentioned that they are waiting for the Chief Judge’s response to their transfer request.
“Although the letter requesting for transfer of this matter to Lokoja, was written by Yahaya Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, I am however under obligation to draw the attention of this honourable court to the issue,” Adedipe stated.
The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Dr. Kemi Pinheiro SAN, opposed the transfer request, viewing it as an attempt to delay the trial.
Pinheiro urged Justice Nwite to hold Adedipe and Mohammed responsible for not presenting their client in court and requested that they be cited for contempt of court.
The court has scheduled July 17 for the arraignment of the former governor and for ruling on the EFCC’s request to cite the SANs for contempt.
