By Omowumi Omotosho
Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has failed in his attempt to move his N80.2 billion fraud case from Abuja to Kogi.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, rejected Bello’s request to relocate the case. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully argued that the case should remain in Abuja.
Bello faces 19 counts, including money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds. Despite denying the charges, he has repeatedly failed to attend court hearings.
Bello’s legal team sought to transfer the trial to Lokoja, Kogi State. However, the EFCC opposed this, stating that the crimes were committed in both Kogi and Abuja, thus making either location appropriate for the trial.
In a statement from his Special Assistant, Joshua Ibrahim Aji, the Chief Judge concurred with the EFCC, highlighting that the law allows for the charges to be filed in either Abuja or Lokoja. He also pointed out that similar cases are already being heard in the Federal High Court in Abuja and that moving the case would be inappropriate given the pending appeal.
