The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, on Thursday adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in his pending money laundering case until November 12, 2025.
Justice Maryann Anenih announced the adjournment after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its sixth witness to testify in the ongoing 16-count charge.
During proceedings, a Compliance Officer at Polaris Bank, Victoria Oluwafemi, testified that as of November 2021, the total credit inflow into the Kogi Government House account then stood at about ₦450 million. She said funds were deposited by various parties and subsequently withdrawn — mostly in multiples of ₦10 million.
Under cross-examination by Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, the witness admitted she was not the account officer for two of the accounts in her bank. She also confirmed that the name of Bello’s co-defendant, Abdulsalam Hudu, was not reflected in one of the bank documents.
Defense counsel objected to certain documents the EFCC sought to tender through the sixth witness, arguing they did not comply with Sections 83 and 84 of the Evidence Act. The EFCC, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to admit the documents, contending they were crucial to its case. Justice Anenih admitted a 218-page statement of account of Alusha Services, signed by the subpoenaed witness, and marked it Exhibit P1.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is being tried alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The defendants are charged under case number CR/7781 with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The charges include allegations that Bello misappropriated state funds to acquire properties in Abuja and abroad, transferred significant foreign currency sums to foreign banks, and conducted improper withdrawals from government accounts.
The court has fixed November 12 and 13, 2025 for continuation of trial and further cross-examination of witnesses.