Kogi state, Lokoja – Comrade Usman Okai Austin, a political activist and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the Federal High Court to resist Yahaya Bello’s requests, to transfer his trial in alleged money laundering to Lokoja.
In an exclusive interview with TimesNow.com.ng on Sunday, June 30, 2024, Okai noted that Bello snubbing the court is an attempt to buy time and manipulate the judiciary.
Recall that Bello snubbed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, June 27, stalling, for the fifth time, his scheduled arraignment for the N80 billion money laundering charges pending against him.
Instead of appearing in court, the former governor sent his lawyers to request the transfer of the case to the courtâs division in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.
This was after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked all security agencies to place Bello on their watch list to prevent him from leaving the country âthrough any land, air or sea borders.â
Speaking with TimesNow.com.ng on Bello’s request, Okai opined thus:
Meanwhile efforts by the EFCC to arraign Bello for the pending N80 billion money laundering charges have failed, with the former governor refusing to attend court on different occasions since April.
While expressing concern on the efforts of the anti-graft agency, Okai disclosed that Bello’s actions so far is a clear indication that he is trying so hard to avoid arrest and implicate his “associates.”
The PDP chieftain however urged the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to intervene on the matter and also report Bello’s action to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so that he EFCC can have a headway.
Okai said:
Following Bello’s continuous absence from court, the EFCC has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to prosecute the two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) defending the ex-Kogi governor, for alleged professional misconduct and contempt of court.
Reacting, the PDP chieftain, Comrade Usman Okai Austin insisted that Bello is unbothered by the EFCC’s move against the SANs, adding “he won’t hesitate to disregard them”.
He, however, urged the the minister of justice to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable and order him to produce Yahaya Bello.
The PDP chieftain said:
Earlier, TimesNow.com.ng reported that Comrade Usman Okai Austin faulted the EFCC’s delay at the Federal High Court.
The Kogi state political activist queried the agency’s commitment to justice in the ongoing case against former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Okai, in a statement sent to TimesNow.com.ng on Wednesday, June 13, urged the EFCC to uphold its integrity, reminding them that the public’s trust is at stake.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
