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The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed further trial in the charges against Ali Bello and Suleiman Daudu to March 14, with a stern warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure diligence in the conduct of the trial.
Justice James Omotoso, who issued the warning on Friday, granted an accelerated hearing and threatened to dismiss the charges against the defendants if the prosecution failed to conduct due diligence.
The court also directed the EFCC to ensure all witnesses and exhibits are ready on adjourned dates to prevent delays. Justice Omotoso emphasized zero tolerance for a lackadaisical attitude from any party involved in the trial.
In a related development, the judge refused to quash the 17-count amended charge, involving alleged money laundering, against the defendants. He also declined to transfer the trial to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, as requested by the defendants' counsel.
Ali Bello and Suleiman Daudu are facing a 10-count criminal charge, primarily related to money laundering, filed against them by the EFCC. They have pleaded not guilty and are currently out on bail.
The hearing that held on February 23 was to address motions and objections regarding the amended charges, which will significantly impact the case's direction. Justice Omotoso emphasized resolving these motions before proceeding with the trial to ensure due process.
Responding to the developments, Nureni Jimoh, SAN, confirmed filing an application challenging the EFCC's amended charge, while the prosecutor, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, stated he had yet to receive the application.
The defense counsel also objected to the presence of Yakubu Haruna, the prosecution's fourth witness, arguing that his name was not listed on the provided witness list. In response, Rotimi clarified that he had filed the amended charge, including a comprehensive list of intended witnesses.
