Wanted Yahaya Bello asks court to transfer N80.2bn fraud case to Kogi

Wanted former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has written a letter to the court requesting that his trial be conducted in Kogi State.

Bello, who is facing trial for an alleged N80.2bn fraud has been in hiding since investigations commenced.

In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission issued a public notice declaring Mr Bello wanted after he failed to appear for his arraignment scheduled to take place at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bello, through his legal team led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, argued that only the Kogi High Court in Lokoja has the jurisdiction to preside over the charges leveled against him.

Adeola Adedipe, a member of Bello’s legal team, informed the court about the letter sent to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Adedipe explained that the defense team had requested the administrative transfer of the case to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which they believe is the appropriate jurisdiction for the matter.

READ ALSO: EFCC condemns Yahaya Bello failure to appear in Court for N80.2bn fraud case

Although no response had been received from the prosecution team regarding the request so far, the defense had filed an affidavit and provided supporting documents.

The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinhero, urged the court to compel the defense lawyer to explain why Bello did not attend court as promised on June 13, despite previous assurances.

Pinhero argued that the letter to the Chief Judge did not absolve Bello’s counsel of the commitment made during the last hearing.

He stated that lodging a complaint against a judge with the National Judicial Council does not halt the progress of ongoing cases before the judge.

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