The trial of Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, by the EConomic and Financial Crimes Commission was stalled on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

The case, which was for continuation of trial before Justice James Omotosho, could not proceed following the appearance of a new lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN, in the case.

Mr Raji, who announced appearance for Mr Bello, the 1st defendant in the charge, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file.

However, counsel for the EFCC and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed Mr Raji’s application, arguing that the request aimed to delay the trial proceedings.

But Mr Raji, who is to lead the 1st defendant’s team of lawyers, urged the court to grant the application in the interest of a fair hearing and justice.

Mr Omotosho, after listening to the parties’ submissions, adjourned the matter until May 5 and May 6 for continuation of trial.

The EFCC is prosecuting Messrs Bello and Sulaiman on a 16-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10.27 billion.

Mr Bello is a nephew of a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The defendants allegedly committed the offences during the administration of ex-governor Bello, who is also facing prosecution in two separate corruption cases before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and the FCT High Court.

In the amended charge, the EFCC accused the defendants of diverting money belonging to the Kogi State government.

The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravened Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 201.

In other charges, Messrs Bello and Suleiman were alleged to have concealed several millions of naira with Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau de Change operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against them by the EFCC.

(NAN)