Sh*ck Twist: Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial Put On Hold

The money-laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, was on Tuesday adjourned to January 29–30 and February 4–5, 2026, following a fresh dispute between the prosecution and defence over documentary evidence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shifted the proceedings to allow the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), to complete the examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) seventh witness, Olomotame Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank.

During the resumed hearing, Pinheiro sought to tender documents marked Exhibits 33 (1–11) and 34 while examining Egoro. The defence, however, immediately objected. Bello’s counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), argued that the exhibit was “not known” to the defendant and that the attached certificate of identification, dated the 17th and signed by Faruk Idiaro, was irregular and did not match what was served on the defendant.

In response, Pinheiro maintained that the substantive documents were the same and requested a brief stand-down to allow the defence to verify their authenticity. Justice Nwite granted the request, instructing both parties to reconcile their positions before continuing.

Once proceedings resumed, Egoro detailed transactions from the Kogi State Government House Administration account between December 2018 and August 2021, highlighting cash payments and withdrawals. He identified a ₦50 million payment to Aminu J.O. on December 21, 2018, in five tranches of ₦10 million, and several withdrawals by Abdulsalam Hudu on August 1, 2019, also in ₦10 million tranches.

Egoro also reviewed Exhibit 33-8, covering a Fazac Business Enterprise account from January 2019 to December 2022, pointing out inflows from local governments ranging from ₦4.49 million to ₦14.45 million on May 6, 2022, with additional credits on May 9, including ₦7.12 million and ₦9.4 million, followed by significant withdrawals.

With further documents to examine and cross-examination pending, Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to the new dates.

Naija News reports that the adjournment followed the testimony of EFCC’s fourth witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a Zenith Bank Compliance Officer, who stated that withdrawals from the state government account did not violate any banking law. She also noted that Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in the accounts presented.

The EFCC maintains that the transactions are part of a broader investigation into alleged money laundering involving billions of naira during Bello’s tenure. The trial will resume in January 2026.

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