The trial of nephew of former Governor of Kogi State, Ali Bello, who is the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was, on Tuesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, which was for continuation of trial before Justice James Omotosho, could not proceed following the appearance of a new lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN, in the case.
Raji, who announced appearance for Bello, the 1st defendant in the charge, had prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him study the case file.
But counsel for the EFCC and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, oppose Raji’s application on the grounds that the request was to delay proceedings in the trial.
But Raji, who is to lead the 1st defendant’s team of lawyers, urged the court to grant the application in the interest of fair hearing and justice.
Justice Omotosho, after listening to the parties’ submissions, adjourned the matter until May 5 and May 6 for continuation of trial.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello and Sulaiman on a 16-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10.27 billion.
The defendants allegedly committed the offences during the administration of former Gov. Bello, who is also facing prosecution in two separate corruption cases before the Federal High Court in Abuja and the FCT High Court.
In the amended charge, the EFCC accused the defendants of diverting money belonging to the Kogi State government.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 201.
In other charges, Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman were alleged to have concealed several millions of naira with one Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against them by the EFCC.
