TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has declined to quash the 17-count amended charge preferred against Ali Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi.

Bello, nephew to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi, is standing trial alongside one Suleiman Dauda, over alleged money laundering.

The court also refused to transfer the trial of the defendants in the money laundering allegation to Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

Dauda had filed a motion praying the court to quash the amended charge on various grounds.

Dauda, through his counsel, Jimoh Nureni, argued that the Economic and and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no power to interfere with the revenue of Kogi state which is the subject matter of the charge.

He also argued that since the alleged offence was committed in Kogi, the proper and appropriate venue for trial should be at the federal high court in Lokoja.

He further submitted that having earlier filed a 10-count criminal charge and called three witnesses, the anti-graft agency was abusing the court process with the amended charge.

However, in his ruling on Friday, James Omotosho, the presiding judge, held that since the charges bordered on money laundering, the EFCC had powers to investigate and prosecute the matter.

The judge also said the federal high court in Nigeria is one, noting that the trial of any criminal matter can be prosecuted in any of its divisions.

The judge also considered security concerns in Kogi state.

Omotosho also disagreed with Daudu that the amended charge by the EFCC constituted an abuse of the court process.

He added that the anti-graft agency was at liberty to amend its charge on the same subject matter.

The judge added that the second defendant failed to show that he would suffer a miscarriage of justice if the trial is conducted in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the continuation of the trial has been fixed for March 14, 15, 20 and 21 by the judge.

The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the trial and warned the EFCC to be diligent.

He asked the anti-graft agency to get all its witnesses and exhibits ready or adjourned dates to avoid delay.

He also directed the defendants to keep further objections against the trial at abeyance, especially to the final address stage.