Chief Decide of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja, has directed that the request by a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for the switch of the alleged cash laundering case instituted in opposition to him by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee to Kogi State be introduced in open court docket.
In a letter addressed to Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN and Musa Yakubu, SAN, the Chief Decide drew the eye of the previous governor’s counsels to a pending attraction within the case: Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN whereby the defendant had sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Decide for reassignment.
The letter, signed by Particular Assistant to the CJ, Joshua Ibrahim AJI, Esq, mentioned on account of this, it could be improper to take any step that might be tantamount to pre-empting the end result of the Attraction.
“There’s documentary proof of a pending attraction within the case Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN filed on 17/05/2024 whereby the defendant as Appellant has sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Decide for reassignment. It’s not correct to take any step that can tantamount to pre-empting the end result of the Attraction.
“The principle problem raised is jurisdictional in nature and can be extra appropriately determined by the court docket. The matter ought to due to this fact be introduced in open court docket,” the CJ said.
The chief decide famous that the principle offence alleged was the conversion of Kogi State funds to buy properties in Abuja and that the cost could possibly be filed in both Abuja or Lokoja.
He referred to 2 ongoing instances earlier than the FHC in cost, No FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 FRN vs Ali Bello and one other, and one other cost, FRN vs Ali Bello and three others, wherein an identical request for switch was made, and the decrease court docket refused the appliance.
