Chief Judge Transfers Money Laundering Case for Security

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court authorized the transfer of a money laundering case from the Kano Judicial Division to the Abuja Division for security reasons. The Respondent was one of eight Defendants charged with a 28-count indictment of money laundering and conspiracy.

During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses and submitted various documents as evidence. The Respondent and other Defendants opted for a no-case submission, which the trial court overruled.

Dissatisfied with this ruling, the Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal, which unanimously allowed the appeal, citing that the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the case. The Supreme Court later affirmed the Chief Judge's power to authorize the transfer, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal protocols in criminal appeals.