Money Laundering: Court Adjourns Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello’s Trial to November 12
ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on Thursday, adjourned further hearing in the ₦110 billion money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to November 12, 2025.
The adjournment followed the testimony of the sixth prosecution witness, Ms. Victoria Oluwafemi, a Compliance Officer with Polaris Bank, who informed the court that as of November 2021, the Kogi State Government House Account had a credit balance of ₦450 million, with multiple withdrawals of ₦10 million each made by various individuals.
During cross-examination, Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), questioned the witness’s knowledge of the transactions. Ms. Oluwafemi admitted she was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager for the accounts in question and could not explain the nature of the withdrawals. She also confirmed that the name of Bello’s co-defendant, Abdulsalam Hudu, did not appear in the bank documents.
Bello’s legal team further objected to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) move to tender a 218-page statement of account belonging to Alusha Services through another subpoenaed witness, Msheila Arhyel B, arguing that the document failed to meet the requirements of the Evidence Act. However, Justice Maryann Anenih overruled the objection and admitted the document as Exhibit P1.
The witness testified that several ₦10 million withdrawals were made from the account, with additional transactions amounting to ₦707 million, as well as multiple dollar transfers, including payments of $2,500 and $5,000 to certain individuals.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the case for the continued cross-examination of the sixth witness.
Bello, who served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2024, is facing a 16-count charge alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Dubai, worth billions of naira.
The former governor was earlier remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre before being granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
