The case against Ali Bello and Suleiman Daudu has been rescheduled for March 14 by a Federal High Court in Abuja. The court has issued a warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pursue the investigation with due attention.
In his warning on Friday, Justice James Omotoso stressed the importance of an expedited hearing and threatened to drop the prosecution's accusations against the defendants should they not carry out the trial with due diligence.
“Get all your witnesses and exhibits ready on adjourned dates to avoid delay,” Justice Omotoso urged the anti-graft agency, highlighting his intolerance for lackadaisical attitudes from any party involved in the matter.
The trial will now resume on March 14, 15, 20, and 21.
Furthermore, the defendants were instructed by Justice Omotoso to refrain from raising additional objections to the trial, especially at the conclusion of the trial.
The judge refused to dismiss the 17-count additional accusation pertaining to suspected money laundering while making a decision on a motion submitted by Suleiman Daudu challenging the amended allegations.
In addition, the court denied the request to move the two defendants' trial to Kogi State's capital, Lokoja. Mr. Jimoh Nureni, SAN, the second defendant's attorney, contended that the trial ought to be held at the Federal High Court in Lokoja because the alleged offense happened there.
Justice Omotoso, however, insisted that the Nigerian Federal High Court functions as a unified unit, permitting trials to be held in any of its divisions.
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