By Uche Onyeali
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, to transfer his alleged money laundering case to Lokoja.
Bello said he preferred to be arraigned in Lokoja, being the place the alleged money laundering offence was committed.
The former governor, represented by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), at the sitting on Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a letter requesting for the transfer of the trial had already been delivered to the chief judge for his administrative decision.
Specifically, Adedipe said the request for Lokoja was due to the fact that the Federal High Court has territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter in Lokoja.
Adedipe said the legal team of the former governor is still awaiting the response of the chief judge on the request for transfer of the case to Lokoja.
“Although the letter requesting for transfer of this matter to Lokoja was written by Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, I am however under obligation to draw the attention of this court to the issue,” Adedipe said.
He added that the prosecution had been notified and their opinion sought via a letter dated June 14 from the chief judge’s office.
The letter, addressed to counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN), was signed by the Special Assistant to the Chief Judge, Joshua Ibrahim Aji.
“You will find attached the copy of a letter by the counsel to the defendant on the above subject matter dated June 10.
“I am directed by His Lordship, the Honourable Chief Judge, to forward the letter to you for your response within six days of receipt,” the letter reads in part.
However, the request for transfer was vehemently opposed by EFCC’s lead counsel, Dr Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who described the request as an attempt to frustrate the trial.
He pleaded with Justice Nwite to hold Adedipe and Mohammed responsible for their inability to produce their client in court, despite the undertakings they made.
He also requested that the two SANs be cited for contempt of court.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed July 17 for the arraignment of the former governor and ruling on the request by EFCC to cite the SANs for contempt.
