The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear a ₦110.4 billion alleged fraud case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Bello, who is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering, had urged the court to strike out the charge on grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction and alleged abuse of court process.
In the application, he argued that the matter should not be heard by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, contending that a related case was already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the motion, describing it as a delaying tactic. He maintained that the offences were properly triable under the Penal Code and that key properties linked to the alleged proceeds of crime are located within Abuja, thereby conferring jurisdiction on the court. He further argued that the FCT High Court case is distinct in both substance and legal basis from the Federal High Court proceedings, which relate primarily to alleged money laundering violations.
Delivering ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the court was properly constituted to hear the matter and that the charge did not amount to an abuse of court process. The judge accordingly dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit, along with a similar application filed by the third defendant.
Following the ruling, the court ordered the continuation of trial and proceeded to hear the 16th prosecution witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa, who testified on property transactions involving Sherrif Plaza, Abuja.
Baffa told the court that one Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 in the plaza for ₦66 million, with payments made in two tranches before an allocation letter was issued.
Under cross-examination, he confirmed his familiarity with Ali Bello in a professional capacity and stated that he knew Yahaya Bello only as a public figure.
The prosecution thereafter called its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent, who testified on multiple property transactions in Abuja allegedly linked to Ali Bello. He detailed several sales, including properties in Guzape, Maitama, Wuse Zone 7, and other high-value locations, with transactions running into hundreds of millions of naira and, in some cases, cash payments in US dollars.
He also told the court he facilitated payments to contractors and was involved in sourcing land for development purposes on behalf of his client.
Defence counsel, P.B. Daudu, SAN, applied for an adjournment, citing the length of proceedings, but the prosecution opposed the request, insisting the witness testimony was brief and that further witnesses were available.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the matter to June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
