Court Shifts Yahaya Bello's trial on alleged money laundering charges to Jan 29.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to January 29, 30 and February 4 and 5, continuation of trial.
The matter was adjourned to allow the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, conclude the examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's seventh witness, Olomotame Egoro.
When the matter was called for continuation of trial, the Prosecution sought to tender documents marked as Exhibits 33 (1–11) and 34, while leading the witness, Olomotame Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank, in evidence.
Defence Counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, interjected, noting that the exhibit being demonstrated by the prosecution and its witness was not known to the defendant.
He further argued that the certificate attached to the document before the court, dated 17th, was signed by one Faruk Idiaro and not the witness in the box.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN said the certificate of identification might be different, but the substantive documents attached to it were the same.
He urged the court to stand down the matter to enable the defence team to confirm that the documents referred to in the certificate of identification were the same documents tendered.
The court stood down briefly and asked the parties to sort out their differences.
On examination, the witness, Egoro, confirmed that there were seven columns in the statement of account that was tendered and explained what the different columns stood for.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 29, 30 and February 4 and 5 for continuation of trial.