The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has declined the request of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to transfer his ₦80.2bn fraud trial from Abuja to Kogi State
Here are the details of the case so far
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is charging Bello with 19 counts of alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of ₦80.2bn.
- Bello’s lawyers requested that the trial be transferred to Lokoja, where the alleged money laundering offence was committed.
- The EFCC opposed the request, describing it as an attempt to frustrate the trial.
- The court has fixed July 17 for the arraignment of the former governor.
- The EFCC is also seeking to cite Bello’s lawyers for contempt of court.
- Bello was previously arraigned on April 18, but the arraignment was adjourned to June 27 due to an agreement between the lawyers.
- The EFCC had declared Bello wanted after armed operatives were unable to arrest him at his Abuja residence due to the intervention of the current Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo.
