A Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted further trial in the charges against the Kogi State Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr.Ali Bello and Suleiman Daudu till March 14, with a warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to be diligent in the conduct of the trial.
The court also shot down a request for the trial to move to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital . Bello, who is a relation to former Governor Yahaya Bello, committed his alleged financial crimes while the elder Bello was Governor. Ali was named chief of staff to the new governor in January.
The court, while granting accelerated hearing, threatened to close the charges against the defendants if the prosecution does not do due dilligence.
Justice James Omotoso, who issued the warning on Friday, asked the anti-graft agency to always get all its witnesses and exhibits ready on adjourned dates so as to avoid delay.
He warned that he would not tolerate lackadaisical attitude from any of the parties in the matter while shifting resumption of trial to March 14, 15, 20 and 21 .
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Justice Omotoso also directed the defendants to keep further objections against the trial at abeyance, especially to the final address stage.
The Judge, who made this observation while ruling in a motion on notice filed by Suleiman Daudu challenging the amended charges, however, refused to quash the 17-count amended charge, related to alleged money laundering.
The court also declined to transfer the trial of the two defendants to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, in line with the argument of the 2nd defendant through his counsel, Mr Jimoh Nureni, SAN, that since the alleged offence was committed in Lokoja, the proper and appropriate venue for trial should be at the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
The judge noted that the Federal High Court in Nigeria was one and that trial of any matter could be prosecuted in any of its divisions.
