Former Governor Yahaya Bello's Corruption Trial Escalates: Court Rejects Bid to Halt N110.4bn Fraud Case

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who sought to strike out charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged N110.4 billion fraud case. Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the court possesses the necessary jurisdiction to hear the matter, specifically rejecting Mr. Bello’s argument that the proceedings constituted an abuse of court process.

Mr. Bello is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu in charge number FCT/CR/778/2024. Through his lawyer, J.B. Daudu, Bello had petitioned the court to strike out the 16-count charge, contending that the alleged offences did not fall within the territorial jurisdiction of the FCT High Court. He further argued that the case was an abuse of court process given that a related matter involving him is simultaneously pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In opposition, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro argued that the charges were firmly rooted in provisions of the Penal Code and were therefore properly filed before the FCT High Court. Pinheiro further informed the court that properties allegedly acquired with the proceeds of the said offences are situated in Abuja, thus establishing the FCT High Court’s jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The EFCC clarified that the case before the FCT High Court pertains to allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy, while the Federal High Court case relates to alleged money laundering offences. Justice Anenih concurred with the EFCC’s position and consequently dismissed Bello’s application, along with a similar application submitted by the third defendant.

Following the ruling, the prosecution proceeded with the testimony of its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa. Baffa informed the court that Ali Bello approached his company to purchase a shop at Sherrif Plaza in Abuja. He recounted, “He came to our office, made enquiries about the shops and indicated interest in buying one. We gave him the prospective form and the requirements. He met the requirements, we gave him an account number and he made the payment.” According to the witness, Ali Bello acquired Shop B13 for N66 million, initially paying N40 million before completing the outstanding balance of N26 million.

The prosecution then presented its 17th witness, Shehu Bello Bala, an estate agent, who testified about facilitating the purchase of several properties for Ali Bello. He stated that he sold a property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, for N48 million, and another property at Plot 31, Guzape District, also in Abuja, for N100 million. The witness additionally informed the court that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Road, Maitama, Abuja, was acquired for N550 million.

However, during cross-examination by the Defendant’s Counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, the 17th witness, Shehu Bello Bala, clarified that neither the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, nor the second defendant, Umar Shuaib Oricha, were involved in any of the aforementioned property transactions before the court. He explicitly noted that one Dr. Farouk Bello had served as the agent during these purchase transactions.

Further under cross-examination, Shehu Bello Bala confirmed that he was aware the title documents—Deed of Assignment and Power of Attorney—were subsequently returned to Efab Estate by Farouk Bello. He also asserted that he was not related to Ali Bello or Farouk Bello, nor was he from Kogi State, implying no familial ties to the former governor. The witness, a commodity trader from Katsina State, stated he had known Ali Bello for approximately 14 years through business dealings such as buying grains and ginger from the North, and was aware of Ali Bello’s involvement in real estate. He also confirmed he did not know the third defendant and that he did not partake in the transactions with him.

Bala recounted that at the time the title documents were returned to Efab Estate, Farouk Bello, who was his father’s friend, had already passed on. When questioned if it was Farouk Bello’s children who sought to collect money for the property after his death, Bala responded that someone approached him with documents to sell the property, but he could not confirm if it was Farouk Bello’s son. He confirmed returning the documents to the chairman of Efab Estate, at which point it was discovered that the property was under investigation. He also mentioned that a second property, not marked by the EFCC, had been purchased by Farouk. The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, interjected during a question by the defence counsel regarding whether Ali Bello inherited a property from his mother, asserting that the witness’s evidence was not about inheritance, though the defence counsel maintained his right to lay a foundation for his defence.

In a related development, Austin Okai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a Kogi-born socio-political activist, commented on the court’s decision, stating that former Governor Yahaya Bello "cannot escape being jailed" for the alleged N110.4 billion fraud. Okai urged Kogi politicians to begin identifying with the ADC, suggesting an end to alleged rigging by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and provocatively writing, "APC rigging machines will not be able to function from Kuje," implying Bello's impending imprisonment.

Yahaya Bello is currently facing separate criminal trials linked to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kogi State governor between 2016 and 2024. The FCT High Court has adjourned the ongoing case till June 17 for the continuation of the trial.