Yahaya Bello” />
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has rescheduled the continuation of the ₦110 billion money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to November 12, 2025.
The postponement followed the testimony of the sixth prosecution witness, Ms. Victoria Oluwafemi, a Compliance Officer at Polaris Bank. She disclosed that as of November 2021, the Kogi State Government House Account maintained a balance of ₦450 million, from which several withdrawals of ₦10 million each were made by different individuals.
Under cross-examination by Bello’s lead lawyer, J.B. Daudu (SAN), Ms. Oluwafemi admitted she was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager for the accounts in question, limiting her ability to explain the transactions fully. She also confirmed that the name of Bello’s co-defendant, Abdulsalam Hudu, did not appear in the bank documents submitted as evidence.
The defense contested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission‘s (EFCC) attempt to introduce a 218-page bank statement linked to Alusha Services through another witness, Msheila Arhyel B. They argued that the document did not meet the admissibility standards outlined in the Evidence Act. However, Justice Maryann Anenih overruled the objection and admitted the statement as Exhibit P1.
Ms. Oluwafemi further testified about multiple ₦10 million withdrawals and additional transactions totaling ₦707 million, including several transfers in US dollars, such as payments of $2,500 and $5,000 to various beneficiaries.
Justice Anenih adjourned the case to allow the defense to continue cross-examining the sixth prosecution witness.
Yahaya Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is standing trial alongside co-accused Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 charges, including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants embezzled public funds to acquire high-value real estate in Abuja and Dubai, worth billions of naira.
Previously, Bello was held at Kuje Prison but was later granted bail set at ₦500 million, with three sureties each pledging the same amount.