Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Bid to Stop N110.4bn Fraud Trial

Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Bid to Stop N110.4bn Fraud Trial

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has suffered a major legal setback after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, dismissed his application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the alleged N110.4 billion fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Maryanne Anenih, clears the way for the continuation of Bello’s trial over allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving public funds allegedly diverted during his tenure as governor.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds totaling N110.4 billion.

In his application, Bello urged the court to strike out the charges, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter. His legal team maintained that the alleged offences were not committed within the Federal Capital Territory and therefore should not be tried in Abuja.

Counsel to the former governor, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the proper venue for the trial should be outside the FCT, insisting that the court lacked the constitutional authority to proceed with the matter.

However, the prosecution, led by senior advocate Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as lacking merit and aimed at delaying the substantive trial.

Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge are offences under the Penal Code and are therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court. He further submitted that some of the properties and transactions linked to the alleged offences are located in Abuja, thereby establishing sufficient territorial connection for the court to exercise jurisdiction.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and held that the court possesses the legal authority to hear and determine the case.

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The judge ruled that the proceedings do not constitute an abuse of court process and subsequently dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit.

According to the court, the presence of properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences within Abuja provides a sufficient basis for the FCT High Court to assume jurisdiction over the matter.

The decision removes a significant procedural hurdle that could have delayed the high-profile trial and allows the prosecution to continue presenting evidence against the defendants.

Following the dismissal of the application, the EFCC immediately resumed its case and called its 16th prosecution witness, Baba-Isah Usman Baffa, to testify before the court.

During his testimony, Baffa provided details regarding property transactions allegedly connected to individuals linked to the administration of the former governor. The witness reportedly told the court that some of the properties under investigation were associated with Ali Bello, a former Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Government.

The prosecution also presented another witness, Shehu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader, who testified about his involvement in certain property transactions that later became subjects of investigation by the anti-graft agency.

According to the witness, he was invited by the EFCC in 2023 to provide information concerning properties that form part of the agency’s ongoing investigation.

Since the commencement of the trial, the EFCC has called multiple witnesses, including bank officials, compliance officers, property developers, legal practitioners and real estate operators, who have testified on financial transactions, property acquisitions and other documentary evidence linked to the allegations.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello and his co-defendants diverted and laundered public funds while he served as governor of Kogi State. The defendants have consistently denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

With the jurisdiction challenge now dismissed, attention is expected to shift fully to the substantive issues in the case as the prosecution continues to present witnesses and documentary evidence in support of its claims.

Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the matter for continuation of trial.

Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Bid to Stop N110.4bn Fraud Trial