- By Halimah Olamide
Former Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has signified his desire to be prosecuted in the state.
The former Gov told a Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to transfer his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Kogi State.
Bello isfacing a 19-count charge bordering on fraud while he held sway as the Governor of the North-Central state.
He wrote to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the FHC, John Tsoho, pleading to be allowed to face his trial in Kogi.
At the resumed proceeding on Thursday, June 27, Bello,who failed again to appear before the court, sent the letter through his legal team, led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, a senior advocate, as he entered his plea to the charge.
Counsel to Bello, Adeola Adedipe called the attention of the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, to the letter his client had sent to the CJ.
“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 insubstance, that this matter be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe has territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.
“My lord, as of this morning, I am not aware whether there has been a response by the prosecution team in compliance with 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,” the lawyer stated.
Responding, the EFCC lawyer, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, askedthe court to order the defence lawyer to explain the defendant’s non-appearance in court despite his assurance on June 13 to guarantee his presence in court for arraignment.
A seemingly displeased Pinhero urged the judge to dismiss Bello’s request accusing him treating the court with disdain.
The counsel for the EFCC further contended thatfiling of a petition against a judge with the National Judicial Council (NJC) does not halt the judge’s caseload from moving forward.
As a result, he requested that the court invite the two senior lawyers representing Bello to justify not being charged with contempt of court.
The EFCC lawyers insisted that the court dock the defendant’s lawyer for failing to produce the former governor after five sittings and make him a scapegoat.