Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Jurisdictional Challenge in ₦110.4bn Fraud Trial

Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Jurisdictional Challenge in ₦110.4bn Fraud Trial

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the ₦110.4 billion fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving alleged misappropriation of ₦110.4 billion.

In his application, Bello urged the court to strike out the charge marked FCT/CR/778/2024, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction. He also contended that the case amounted to an abuse of court process due to a similar charge pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the motion, describing it as a delaying tactic. He argued that the alleged offences fall under the Penal Code and are therefore properly within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court. He further submitted that the properties linked to the alleged offences are located within Abuja, giving the court territorial competence.

Pinheiro also maintained that the two cases referenced by the defence are distinct in law and substance, noting that while one concerns alleged money laundering under federal legislation, the present case relates to criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code. He added that the defendants are also different in both proceedings.

Delivering ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih upheld the prosecution’s arguments, affirming that the court has jurisdiction to hear the matter. The judge held that the case does not constitute an abuse of court process and accordingly dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit.

A similar application filed by the third defendant was also dismissed.

The court subsequently ordered the continuation of trial, after which the prosecution called its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa, who testified on property transactions at Sherrif Plaza, Abuja.

Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 for ₦66 million, making payments in two tranches of ₦40 million and ₦26 million into an FCMB account. He said an allocation letter was issued upon completion of payment.

Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed prior testimony before another court and stated that he knew Yahaya Bello only as a public figure.

The prosecution later called its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent, who testified on multiple property transactions allegedly linked to Ali Bello, including properties in Guzape, Maitama, Wuse II, and other parts of Abuja.

He told the court that one of the properties in Maitama was purchased for ₦550 million and paid for in cash in United States dollars, while also detailing several payments made on behalf of the defendant to contractors and developers.

Following objections and arguments on adjournment by defence counsel, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to June 17, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Jurisdictional Challenge in ₦110.4bn Fraud Trial