N110.4bn Fraud Case: Court Rules Yahaya Bello Must Face Trial

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello seeking to terminate proceedings in his alleged N110.4 billion fraud trial.

Delivering a ruling in Abuja, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the court possesses the jurisdiction required to hear the matter and rejected arguments that the prosecution constituted an abuse of court process.

The decision clears the way for the continuation of proceedings in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and conspiracy.

His counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN) had argued that the alleged offences did not fall within the territorial jurisdiction of the FCT High Court and further contended that a related matter already pending before the Federal High Court rendered the case an abuse of process.

However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) opposed the application, insisting that the charges were properly filed under the Penal Code and that several properties allegedly linked to the case are located within Abuja.

The anti-graft agency also maintained that the Federal High Court case and the FCT High Court proceedings concern separate offences and different legal questions.

Justice Anenih agreed with the EFCC’s submissions and dismissed the applications filed by Bello and a co-defendant.

The court subsequently directed the prosecution to continue presenting evidence, including testimony from its 16th witness.

The ruling comes as Bello continues to face separate corruption proceedings at the Federal High Court, where the EFCC has accused him of laundering N80.2 billion allegedly linked to Kogi State funds.

The former governor has consistently denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.