The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello continues at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling ₦110.4 billion. Bello faces the 16-count charge alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting new bank evidence to bolster its case.

On January 15, 2026, Justice Maryanne Anineh presided over resumed proceedings as the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), continued cross-examining the sixth witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a Zenith Bank compliance officer. Bata clarified transactions in Exhibit S1, including a ₦10 million cheque to Hudu and a ₦2,454,400 payment to Halims Hotels and Tours, Lokoja, but could not confirm their purposes.

Defense counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) probed Exhibit X1, the company account documents from Zenith Bank, revealing major inflows and outflows, including ₦74.37 million from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) and a ₦10 million cheque to Mohammed Jami’u Sallau. PW6 confirmed that Bello’s name did not appear as a direct beneficiary and explained the account was managed by multiple authorized signatories.

Further testimony by PW7, Mohammed Bello Hassan of Keystone Bank, covered transactions to Dantata and Sawoe Construction, while PW8, Gabriel Ocha from FCMB, detailed payments from Kunfayakun Global Limited to institutions like the American International School. PW9, A.D. Ojoma from Sterling Bank, confirmed substantial transfers from KSIRS to Bespoke Business Solutions Limited (BBSL), including ₦138 million and ₦183.6 million payments for government contracts and OBPEH purchases.

The case forms part of a wider national effort to address corruption. Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, emphasized the urgent need for personal and institutional judicial reforms, highlighting ethical lawyering and the integrity deficit among judges and lawyers. Similarly, Salisu Usman, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, recommended capital punishment for convicted corrupt officials, emphasizing corruption’s adverse effect on Nigeria’s growth and social stability.

Earlier testimonies in related cases involved officials from Efab Properties Limited, UBA, Ecobank, and other banks, highlighting systematic withdrawals for “Special Security funds” and payments linked to government accounts. The trial resumes on Friday, January 16, 2026, with further evidence expected to clarify the roles of the accused and associated entities.