The trial of Ali Bello, nephew of the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, was stalled on Tuesday, following an adjournment at the request of his new counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, to enable him familiarise himself with the facts of the case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, who is also the chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, alongside Dauda Sulaiman on amended 16-count charge, bordering on misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10,270,556,800.
At the start of the proceedings, the new defence counsel informed the court that he was briefed on the matter just the previous day and needed time to go through the case file to familiarize himself with the facts of the case. He further stated that he had informed the prosecution of the development and sought an adjournment.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the oral application on the ground that the existing defence counsel, A. Aliyu, SAN, should have formally applied to the court, informing the judge well in good time of the additional counsel to the defendant in accordance to the stipulations of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
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“My lord, I can confirm that he spoke to me this morning and I told my learned brother that I don’t have the power to do anything about that. A.M Aliyu should have made an application, but he is yet to do so.
“I refer your lordship to Section 46, 47, 49 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which gives the procedure that must be followed where a defendant wants to have two counsels of his choice, the one that is stepping aside must inform your lordship by way of application with clear dates and the law says not less than three days before the date fixed for hearing. I urge your lordship not to concede to the request for adjournment on account of a speculative application that is yet to be filed,” he said.
However, Justice Omotosho granted the request in the interest of fair hearing and adjourned further trial till May 5 and 6, 2026.
