Bello’s Legal Troubles and Transfer Request
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, finds himself in the midst of significant legal trouble as he faces a 19-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N80.2 billion. Bello has written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, requesting that his trial be moved to the Lokoja Division of the Federal High Court, claiming it has the proper jurisdiction for his case.
Absence from Court and Lawyer’s Explanation
On Thursday, Bello did not appear at the Federal High Court in Abuja for his scheduled arraignment. Instead, his lawyer, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, brought attention to the letter sent to the Chief Judge. Adedipe explained that the letter, written on behalf of Bello by his legal team led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, requested an administrative transfer of the trial to Lokoja. He noted that the Chief Judge had acknowledged receipt of the letter and asked the prosecution team to respond. Adedipe clarified his role, stating, “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.”
EFCC’s Position and Contempt Allegations
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, pressed the court to compel Bello’s defense team to explain his absence. Pinhero argued that the defense’s letter to the Chief Judge did not absolve them of their previous commitment to ensure Bello’s presence in court. He suggested that the court should consider holding the defense lawyers in contempt for their conduct, which he described as an attempt to delay the trial.
Charges Against Bello and Co-Defendants
The EFCC accuses Bello and his co-defendants, including his nephew Ali Bello and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, of being involved in the alleged crimes. Despite previous failures to appear for his arraignment, Bello had instructed his lawyers to challenge the court’s jurisdiction and the arrest warrant issued against him. The court had refused to cancel the arrest warrant but allowed Bello the opportunity to present himself voluntarily.
Lawyer’s Withdrawal Request
In a surprising twist, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, applied to withdraw from representing Bello. Adedipe cited the EFCC’s failure to execute the arrest warrant and the false accusations against him as reasons for his withdrawal. He invoked section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to justify his decision.
EFCC’s lead counsel, Pinhero, opposed Adedipe’s withdrawal, arguing it was a tactic to avoid accountability. Pinhero requested the court to discipline Adedipe and set an example to maintain the integrity of the judiciary. “My lord, he should be used to set an example that this is not a lottery game. His request to withdraw is only an afterthought and it should not be countenanced by this court,” Pinhero insisted. Justice Emeka Nwite has yet to rule on the matter, leaving the legal community and the public eagerly awaiting the court’s decision on both the transfer request and the lawyer’s withdrawal.
