Mr Joseph Daudu, Counsel to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has revealed that his client is facing political trial contrary to the money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr Daudu (SAN) made this known before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday during the ongoing money laundering case instituted against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This comes after EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), described what happened in the mode of payments by Local Government Areas in Kogi State was stealing by disguise.
The Defendant’s counsel said,
“You drew my lord’s attention to a litany of payments from the 21 local government areas, for example, 11th October 2022, into Keyless account.
“Do you know the purpose of those entries or transactions?”
“No, my lord, “Confirm that in respect of transactions in Exhibit 33(11), your bank was not under court order and you have no report of fraud,” Daudu SAN told the witness.
“That is correct my lord”.
“Do you know if this defendant (Yahaya Bello) is a local government chairman and which local government in Kogi State?”.
The presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the trial to 5th and 6th February, 2026.