Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that he may withdraw from the trial of Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, due to concerns over alleged false reporting by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge issued the warning during Monday’s court proceedings, reacting to a complaint from Bello’s lead counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, who accused the EFCC of misrepresenting the facts of the case on its official website.
Aliyu told the court that the publication falsely claimed Bello had purchased a property at Ikogosi Close in the Maitama area of Abuja and later returned the documents after learning it was under EFCC investigation.
Aliyu described the publication as misleading and prejudicial, alleging it had been circulated across social media to paint his client in a negative light.
He presented a printed version of the article to the court and confirmed that a copy had been served to the prosecution.
In response, EFCC counsel Abbas Muhammed acknowledged the existence of the article but said he could not immediately confirm its accuracy.
He requested time to consult the agency’s media team, a request which the court granted.
Justice Omotosho, visibly concerned, criticized the impact of inaccurate reporting on the integrity of judicial proceedings.
He stated that continued misrepresentation of court activities could compel him to return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
“This kind of report does not only affect the defendant, it also casts the court in a negative light,” the judge said. “Once a narrative is out there, it shapes public perception—regardless of the truth.”
He warned against turning the courtroom into a subject of online speculation and stressed the need for fair and factual reportage, especially when journalists are already accredited to cover proceedings.
Referencing a recent case involving political disputes in Rivers State, the judge lamented how social media distorted the court’s actions, leading to a backlash despite the court’s procedural fairness.
Despite the tension, proceedings moved forward with the EFCC calling its 11th witness, Segun Adeleke, the General Manager of EFAB Properties Ltd.
Adeleke recounted a 2020 transaction where Shehu Bello allegedly paid the naira equivalent of N500 million in cash for a property located at No. 1, Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama.
However, during cross-examination, the witness confirmed that neither Ali Bello nor Dauda Sulaiman—the first and second defendants—was the person involved in the transaction. He stated that his contact was specifically with Shehu Bello, and any further communication was handled by his company’s chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora.
After discharging the witness, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until May 7 and 9 for continuation of trial.