RismadarVoice Reporters, June 16, 2026
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion alleged fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryanne Anenih, in a ruling, held that the court possesses the requisite territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter and rejected Bello’s claim that the proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
The former governor had urged the court 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 jurisdiction to hear the case because the alleged offences did not occur within its territorial domain.
He also contended that the charge constituted an abuse of court process due to the existence of a separate case involving him before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
However, prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as a deliberate attempt to delay the trial.
Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge were brought under the Penal Code and were therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court.
He further submitted that properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences are located within Abuja, thereby conferring jurisdiction on the court.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the prosecution maintained that the matter before the FCT High Court was distinct from the one pending before the Federal High Court.
According to him, while the FCT case relates primarily to allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, the Federal High Court case concerns alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Justice Anenih agreed with the prosecution and ruled that the proceedings before her court do not constitute an abuse of court process.
The judge consequently dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit and also rejected a similar application filed by the third defendant.
Following the ruling, the court ordered the continuation of the trial, after which the EFCC called its 16th prosecution witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa.
Baffa, who testified under examination by prosecution counsel Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, told the court that Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 at Sherrif Plaza, Abuja, for N66 million.
According to the witness, an initial payment of N40 million was made into the company’s FCMB account, while the balance of N26 million was subsequently paid before the shop was allocated to the buyer.
Under cross-examination, Baffa said he knew Ali Bello through the transaction but only knew Yahaya Bello as a public figure.
The prosecution also presented its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader, who testified about several property transactions allegedly linked to Ali Bello and other individuals.
The witness told the court that he facilitated the purchase of multiple properties in Abuja, including a property in Guzape District sold to Ali Bello for N48 million and another property acquired for N100 million.
He also testified that a property in Maitama was acquired for N550 million, adding that payment was made in United States dollars and in cash.
The witness further stated that a property on Durban Street, Wuse II, intended for the development of a shopping plaza, was purchased for N650 million.
Following arguments over a request for adjournment by defence counsel P.B. Daudu, SAN, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
