The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has directed that the request by former Governor Yahaya Bello for the transfer of the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the EFCC to Kogi be heard in open court.
In a letter addressed to Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, and Musa Yakubu, SAN, the CJ drew their attention to a pending appeal in the case.
The pending appeal is 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, stated that it would be improper to take any step that would be tantamount to preempting the outcome of the appeal. The CJ emphasized that the matter should be presented in open court.
Justice Tsoho observed that the main offence allegedly bordered on the 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.
The EFCC charge against the former governor is currently before the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, and the matter has been adjourned until July 17 for a hearing. The CJ’s directive comes as a significant development in the ongoing case against the former governor. By insisting on an open court hearing for the transfer request, Justice Tsoho aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the proceedings. The pending appeal and the CJ’s reference to previous similar cases suggest that the court is considering all relevant factors before deciding on the matter.
As the case progresses, legal experts and the public will be closely following the developments to see how the court navigates the complex issues surrounding the transfer request and the alleged money laundering charges against the former governor.