The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has sought the transfer of his alleged fraud case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be transferred to Kogi.
News360 Info recalls that Bello has been in a running battle with the anti-graft agency over alleged involvement in the mismanagement of the state fund during his tenure as Governor.
Bello, in the letter through his team of lawyers led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, requested that since he was alleged to have committed the offence when he was the state governor, it is proper for the case to be held in Kogi State.
He maintained that only the Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the allegations raised against him by the EFCC.
Also, at the resumed proceeding on Thursday, Bello failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea to the charge against him.
However, a lawyer who announced an appearance for him, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, brought the attention of trial Justice Emeka Nwite to the letter his client wrote to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
Addressing the court after the matter was called, Adedipe, SAN, said, “My lord, after the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I went back and gave a report of what happened in court to our team.
“However, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting in substance, that this matter be administratively transfered to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe have territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.
That letter was received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers and the office of the of honourable CJ wrote the prosecution team through Mr. Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps has been activated, whereof he was directed to provide a response to the request for transfer of the matter.
My lord, as of this morning, I am not aware whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance to the directive of the CJ.
We are also not in receipt of any decision that has been made on this request by the CJ.
I am also aware that this administrative directive of the CJ has been formally communicated to this court.
We have filed an affidavit wherein we attached two documents referencing the details that I have just highlighted.
My duty is first to the court. As of the moment, I am not urging anything from the court, but just to present the facts as they were.”
