By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The old saying that goes thus, east and south, north and west, home Is home is currently playing out as the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who is facing a 19-count charge, has written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, begging to be allowed to face his trial in Kogi.
Bello, in the letter he wrote through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, said only Lokoja Division of the high court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the allegations that were raised against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the resumed hearing in the matter on today, Bello, failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to enter his plea to the charge against him.
However, a lawyer that announced appearance for him, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, brought the attention of trial Justice Emeka Nwite to the letter his client wrote to the CJ.
Addressing the court after the matter was called, Adedipe, SAN, said, “My lord, after the proceedings of the last adjourned date, I went back and gave a report of what happened in court to our team.
“However, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting in substance, that this matter be administratively transfered to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe have territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter”.