Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday threatened to return the case file of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Government, to the Chief Judge for possible reassignment.
This followed allegations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, published misleading reports about the ongoing trial.
Bello’s lawyer, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, raised concerns over an article published on the EFCC’s website, claiming it misrepresented court proceedings.
“The prosecutor is subjecting my client to mob justice by making publications that are untrue,” Aliyu told the court, alleging that the publication was also circulated on social media.
The EFCC had in 2022 charged Bello and a co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, with fraud involving the alleged diversion of public funds.
The 10-count charge is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022.
According to the EFCC publication, Bello allegedly paid for a property at Ikogosi Close, Maitama, but returned the documents after discovering the property was under EFCC investigation. Aliyu refuted the claim, saying his client “did not buy the property”.
Responding, EFCC’s lawyer Abbas Muhammed said he had seen the publication but couldn’t verify its authenticity at the moment.
“I have to verify with the media team,” he said.
Justice Omotosho expressed displeasure, warning that continued misreporting could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
“It is not only against the defendant but against the court,” the judge said. “Writing fictitious stories about court proceedings might make the public lose confidence in the court.
“I can’t be put in the public for analysis on what happens in court.”
He added, “You create wrong impression in the society. This is annoying.”
The judge emphasized the importance of accurate court reporting, citing past incidents where social media misrepresented judicial actions, including in the Rivers State political dispute.
“Let us stop this because it affects the integrity of the system,” he warned.
Earlier, the EFCC presented its 11th witness, Segun Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Ltd.
Adeleke testified that a man named Shehu Bello paid the dollar equivalent of N500 million in cash for a Maitama property.
During cross-examination, the witness clarified that neither of the defendants, Ali Bello nor Dauda Sulaiman, was the said Shehu Bello.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 7 and May 9 for continuation of trial.
