Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that he may return the EFCC’s case file against Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Government, to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
According to NAN, this followed a complaint by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), who accused the EFCC of publishing misleading information about court proceedings on its website.
The EFCC had filed a 10-count charge in 2022 against Bello and co-defendant Dauda Sulaiman, alleging fraud and diversion of Kogi State funds.
Aliyu told the court that the EFCC falsely claimed Bello had purchased a property at Ikogosi Close, Maitama, Abuja, and returned documents upon learning the property was under investigation.
He said his client denied the purchase and accused the EFCC of subjecting him to “mob justice” through its publications.
When shown the publication, EFCC’s lawyer, Abbas Muhammed, said he could not confirm its authenticity and requested time to verify it with the commission’s media team.
Justice Omotosho warned that continued misreporting could lead him to withdraw from the case, saying such actions damage public trust and the court’s integrity.
He cited similar issues from a recent Rivers State case, where misinformation online misrepresented the court’s proceedings.
Earlier in the day, the EFCC presented its 11th prosecution witness, Segun Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Ltd.
Adeleke testified that in 2020, a man named Shehu Bello paid the naira equivalent of N500 million in cash for a property at Ikogosi Spring Close.
He clarified under cross-examination that neither Ali Bello nor Dauda Sulaiman were the same person as Shehu Bello.
The judge adjourned the trial to May 7 and 9 for continuation.