For the fifth time, former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment in the N82bn fraud case brought against him by the federal government.
Instead, the former governor applied to the Chief Judge of the Court, Justice John Tsoho, to transfer his trial to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that his client had written to the Chief Judge requesting that the trial be moved to Lokoja.
He stated that the former governor preferred to be arraigned in Lokoja, arguing that the court there has territorial jurisdiction.
However, the senior lawyer did not mention the status of the Chief Judge’s response to the request.
He also did not fulfill his commitment made on June 13 to produce Bello in court for today’s arraignment.
At the time of this report, there have been legal disputes between the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Adedipe.
The prosecution counsel is demanding that Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, and Adeola Adedipe, both Senior Advocates, be tried for contempt for misleading the court.
Receive Alerts On:
Facebook: METRODAILYNG Twitter: @METRODAILYNG
REACH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH METRO DAILY NIGERIA. TRY AND ADVERTISE ANY KIND OF YOUR BUSINESS TO USERS ONLINE TODAY. KINDLY CONTACT US FOR YOUR ADVERTS OR PUBLICATIONS @ METRODAILYNG@GMAIL.COM or 08077778839. OR VISIT US AT OUR OFFICE AT
PLOT 273 REINSURANCE BUILDING
HERBERT MACAULAY WAY
2ND FLOOR, C WING, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD)
ABUJA – FCT.