June 16, (THEWILL) — Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, suffered a major legal setback on Tuesday after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, dismissed his application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the ₦110.4 billion fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
THEWILL reports that the former governor is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
Bello had filed an application seeking to strike out the charge marked FCT/CR/778/2024: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He also argued that the proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process on the grounds that another criminal charge involving him, FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, is already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the motion, describing it as misconceived and a deliberate attempt to frustrate the trial.
Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge were offences under the Penal Code and therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court.
He further submitted that several properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences, which form a central part of the prosecution’s case, are all located within Abuja, thereby conferring territorial jurisdiction on the court.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the prosecution maintained that the charge before the FCT High Court is separate and distinct from the one pending before the Federal High Court.
According to Pinheiro, while the Abuja Federal High Court case relates to alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, the matter before the FCT High Court primarily concerns criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code.
He further argued that both matters involve different parties, noting that Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court case, while the FCT charge includes two additional defendants.
Delivering a ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih upheld the arguments of the prosecution and held that the court possessed the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The judge also ruled that the proceedings before the court did not amount to abuse of court process and dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit.
Justice Anenih equally dismissed a similar application filed by the third defendant, describing it as unmeritorious.
Following the ruling, the court ordered the trial to proceed and the prosecution immediately called its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli (SAN), Baffa told the court he was familiar with Sherrif Plaza, Abuja, a commercial complex located at Plot 739 and comprising 276 shops.
The witness said Ali Bello had approached his company seeking to purchase a shop within the complex. According to him, Ali Bello completed the necessary documentation and subsequently purchased Shop B13 for ₦66 million.
He disclosed that an initial payment of ₦40 million was made into the company’s FCMB account, while the outstanding balance of ₦26 million was later paid, after which an allocation letter was issued.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, P.B. Daudu (SAN), Baffa stated that he could identify Ali Bello physically but denied having any personal relationship with him.
He also confirmed that he had previously testified regarding the same property transaction before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Asked if he knew Yahaya Bello personally, the witness responded that he knew him only as “a public figure.”
After his discharge, the prosecution called its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader, who testified about multiple property transactions allegedly carried out on behalf of Ali Bello.
The witness disclosed that he sold a property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, to Ali Bello for ₦48 million. He further told the court that Plot 31, Guzape District, purchased from Alhaji Jimeta, was sold for ₦100 million.
Another property located at Plot A02/176, Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, he said, was purchased by Dr Faruk Bello for ₦105 million.
Shenu Bello also testified that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Road, Maitama, Abuja, was acquired by Faruk Bello from Efab Estate for ₦550 million.
According to him, payment for the Maitama property was made in United States dollars and delivered in cash, adding that his commission was also paid in cash.
He further told the court that although he was not involved in the initial purchase of Plot 1981, Dalla Hills, Maitama, he introduced Ali Bello to the construction company handling the project, Metro Dec Construction Limited.
The witness said he subsequently made several payments on behalf of Ali Bello to the contractor, including ₦5.5 million, ₦9.8 million, ₦8 million and $6,000.
Testifying further, he told the court that Ali Bello requested that he source Property No. 1058/1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse II, Abuja, popularly known as Durban Street, because he intended to build a shopping plaza there.
According to the witness, the property was purchased from FSC Food Limited for ₦650 million.
Following the testimony, defence counsel sought an adjournment, arguing that proceedings had lasted for an extended period and noting that he had not previously requested one in the matter.
However, prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan (SAN), opposed the request, insisting that the witness had spent less than 20 minutes in the witness box and had not introduced any entirely new issue.
After hearing both sides, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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