Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Attempt To Stop N110bn Fraud Trial, Orders EFCC To Continue Prosecution

Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Attempt To Stop N110bn Fraud Trial, Orders EFCC To Continue Prosecution

June 16, 2026

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has suffered a major legal setback after the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, dismissed his application seeking to quash the N110 billion fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the court possesses the necessary jurisdiction to hear the case and directed that Bello's trial should proceed without further delay.

The decision marks a significant development in one of Nigeria's most high-profile corruption cases involving a former state governor.

Bello had approached the court through his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), J.B. Daudu, asking the court to strike out the 16-count charge filed against him under Charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024.

The former governor argued that the FCT High Court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the case. He also contended that the fresh charges amounted to an abuse of court process because another related case involving him was already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja under Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024.

However, the EFCC strongly opposed the application.

Lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, described Bello's application as misconceived and an attempt to unnecessarily delay the trial.

Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge were based on provisions of the Penal Code, making them properly triable before the FCT High Court.

He further explained that several properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the alleged offences are located within Abuja, thereby giving the court territorial jurisdiction over the matter.

On the issue of multiple cases, the EFCC maintained that the proceedings before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court are entirely different.

According to the anti-graft agency, the FCT case centres on allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, while the Federal High Court case deals with alleged money laundering offences under the Money Laundering Act.

The prosecution also pointed out that the parties involved in both cases are not the same. While Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court matter, he is standing trial alongside two other co-defendants in the FCT High Court proceedings.

After considering the arguments presented by both parties, Justice Anenih agreed with the EFCC's position and ruled that there was no abuse of court process.

The court consequently dismissed Bello's application in its entirety.

Justice Anenih also threw out a similar application filed by the third defendant, declaring it lacked merit.

Following the ruling, the judge ordered the prosecution to continue with its case and directed that the 16th prosecution witness (PW16), who was already present in court, should proceed with testimony.

The ruling represents another significant hurdle for Bello as the EFCC intensifies efforts to prosecute allegations involving over N110 billion in alleged fraudulent transactions and misuse of public funds.

The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks as the prosecution presents more witnesses and evidence before the court.

The outcome of the case is being closely watched across Nigeria, given Bello's prominence as a former governor and the wider implications for the country's anti-corruption campaign.