The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion alleged fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryanne Anenih, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, held that the court had the legal authority to entertain the 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over allegations involving the misappropriation and laundering of N110.4 billion.
The former governor had asked the court to strike out the charge, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to handle the matter.
He also claimed that the trial amounted to an abuse of court process because of a separate charge pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as an attempt to delay the trial.
Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge were punishable under the Penal Code and could properly be tried by the FCT High Court.
He added that the properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences were located within Abuja, giving the court jurisdiction over the case.
The prosecution further argued that the Federal High Court case and the FCT High Court matter were different in nature, as they involved separate offences and legal provisions.
According to Pinheiro, the FCT High Court case focuses on criminal breach of trust and conspiracy allegations, while the Federal High Court matter concerns alleged breaches of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
He also noted that the parties in both cases were different, stressing that Bello was the only defendant in one case but appeared with two co-defendants in the FCT High Court matter.
Justice Anenih agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and dismissed Bello’s application, describing it as lacking merit.
The court also rejected a similar application filed by the third defendant and ordered that the trial should continue.
Following the ruling, the prosecution called its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa, who testified about property transactions involving Ali Bello.
Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 at Sherrif Plaza, Abuja, for N66 million, with N40 million paid initially and the remaining N26 million later settled.
He said the company issued an allocation letter after payment was completed and formally transferred the shop to the buyer.
The witness also confirmed under cross-examination that he had previously testified about the property transaction before the Federal High Court.
The prosecution later presented its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader, who gave evidence on several property deals involving Ali Bello.
The witness told the court that he facilitated the purchase of properties in Guzape, Wuse, Maitama and other areas of Abuja, including transactions worth millions of naira and dollars.
He disclosed that one property in Guzape was sold for N48 million, another for N100 million, while a Maitama property was acquired for N550 million.
He also testified that a property on Durban Street, Wuse II, was purchased for N650 million for Ali Bello’s planned shopping plaza development.
During proceedings, defence counsel, P.B. Daudu, SAN, requested an adjournment, citing the length of the trial and his previous commitment to the case.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the witness’s testimony was brief and that other witnesses were available to continue.
Justice Anenih thereafter adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
