Alleged False Report: Judge Threatens To withdraw From EFCC’s Case Against Bello
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, threatened to return the case file involving the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Government, Ali Bello, to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, for possible reassignment.
The judge issued the warning following a complaint by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, who accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of publishing misleading information about the proceedings on its website, thereby portraying his client unfairly.
The EFCC had filed a 10-count charge in 2022 against Bello (1st defendant) and Dauda Sulaiman (2nd defendant), accusing them of allegedly diverting public funds from the Kogi State Government. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022.
During proceedings, Aliyu told the court: “My Lord, I have a complaint on behalf of my client. The prosecutor is subjecting him to mob justice through publications that misrepresent what transpired in court.”
He cited a specific report published on the EFCC’s website and allegedly shared across social media platforms, claiming Bello had made payments for a property on Ikogosi Close, Maitama District, Abuja, but later returned the documents upon learning the property was under EFCC investigation.
Aliyu insisted his client never purchased the property in question and submitted a printout of the publication to the court, confirming that the EFCC’s counsel had been served a copy.
Responding, EFCC counsel Abbas Muhammed acknowledged seeing the publication but said he could not confirm its authenticity at that time. “I have seen the publication, My Lord. However, I will need to verify it with our media team,” he said.
Justice Omotosho, visibly displeased, warned against further misrepresentation of court proceedings.
“I want to make it clear—this kind of reportage will not be tolerated. If it continues, I will return all case files to the Chief Judge for reassignment. It’s not just an attack on the defendant but also on the integrity of the court,” he stated.
The matter was adjourned, with the EFCC expected to report back after verifying the publication in question.
