Money Laundering: CJ Directs Hearing of Bello’s Transfer Request to Open Court

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has directed that the request by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, for the transfer of the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Kogi, be heard in the open court.

The directive was contained in a letter addressed to Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, and Musa Yakubu, SAN.

The decision of the CJ, according to the letter dated July 2, was based on a pending appeal between Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) wherein the defendant had sought a consequential order remitting the case to the chief judge for reassignment.

The letter, signed by Special Assistant to the CJ, Joshua Ibrahim-AJI, said as a result of this, it would be improper to take any step that would be tantamount to preempting the outcome of the appeal.

“There is documentary evidence of a pending appeal in the case Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN filed on 17/05/2024 wherein the defendant as appellant has sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

“It is not proper to take any step that will be tantamount to pre-empting the outcome of the appeal. The main issue raised is jurisdictional in nature and will be more appropriately decided by the court.

“The matter should therefore be presented in open court,” the CJ stated.

Tsoho observed that the main offence allegedly bordered on conversion of the state’s funds to purchase property in Abuja, and that the filing of the charge could either be in Abuja or Lokoja.

He referred to two ongoing cases before the FHC in charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 FRN Vs Ali Bello and another, and another charge in FRN Vs Ali Bello and 3 others, where a similar request for transfer was made and the lower court refused the application.