The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion fraud charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that the court has the necessary territorial jurisdiction to proceed.
Bello, who is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, had asked the court to strike out Charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024. He argued the FCT High Court lacked jurisdiction and that the case duplicated an earlier charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as “misconceived” and a delay tactic. He told the court the offences fall under the Penal Code and are triable in the FCT. Pinheiro added that properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the crime are located in Abuja, giving the court territorial jurisdiction.
On the abuse of process argument, Pinheiro said the FCT case concerns criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, while the Federal High Court matter relates to violations of the Money Laundering Act. He also noted that Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court charge but is being tried with two co-defendants in the FCT.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih upheld the prosecution’s submissions. She held that the two cases differ in substance and law and do not amount to abuse of court process. The judge also dismissed a similar application filed by the 3rd defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, describing it as “equally unmeritorious.”
After the ruling, trial resumed with the prosecution calling its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa. Baffa testified that Ali Bello, a relative of the former governor, purchased Shop B13 at Sherif Plaza, Abuja, for N66 million through staged payments. Under cross-examination, Baffa said he knew Yahaya Bello only as “a public figure.”
The prosecution then called its 17th witness, estate agent Shenu Bello, who detailed multiple Abuja property transactions linked to Ali and Faruk Bello, including a N650 million Durban Street plot and a N550 million Maitama property allegedly paid for in cash dollars. Defence counsel P.B. Daudu, SAN, sought an adjournment, but Justice Anenih refused and adjourned the matter to June 17, 2026, for continuation.
