Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Attempt To Stop ₦110 Billion Fraud Case

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking to terminate the ₦110 billion fraud charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Presiding judge, Justice Maryanne Anenih, ruled that the court has the necessary jurisdiction to hear the case and ordered that the trial proceed without interruption.

Bello is standing trial in Charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024: FRN v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors.

Through his counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), the former governor had asked the court to strike out the 16-count charge, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

He also contended that the case amounted to an abuse of court process, citing a related criminal matter already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defence further argued that the existence of Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 before the Federal High Court made the current proceedings inappropriate.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as baseless and aimed at delaying the trial.

Pinheiro maintained that the charges fall under provisions of the Penal Code and are properly within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.

He also argued that several of the properties allegedly linked to the offences are located within Abuja, thereby giving the court territorial jurisdiction.

On the allegation of abuse of court process, Pinheiro submitted that the two cases are distinct in nature and substance.

He explained that the FCT High Court case involves allegations of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code, while the Federal High Court matter relates to money laundering offences under the Money Laundering Act.

He further noted that the defendants are not the same in both cases, as Bello stands alone in one case while facing trial alongside two co-defendants in the other.

In her ruling delivered on June 16, 2026, Justice Anenih agreed with the EFCC’s arguments and affirmed that the court is competent to hear the case.

She also held that the proceedings do not constitute an abuse of court process.

The judge consequently dismissed Bello’s application and ordered the continuation of the trial.

A similar application filed by the third defendant was also rejected for lacking merit.

Following the ruling, the court directed the prosecution to proceed with its case, with the 16th prosecution witness already present in court to testify.