The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
In the application, Bello asked the court to strike out the charge marked FCT/CR/778/2024 — Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors — arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter. He also contended that the proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process because a related case was already pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), argued that the motion was misconceived and intended solely to delay the trial. He maintained that the offences were brought under the Penal Code and were therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court.
Pinheiro further submitted that the properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences are located within Abuja, thereby giving the court the territorial jurisdiction required to hear the case.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the senior advocate argued that the case before the FCT High Court is distinct from the one pending before the Federal High Court. According to him, while the Abuja High Court matter centres on allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, the Federal High Court case relates to alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
He added that both cases differ in substance, legal basis and parties involved, noting that Bello is the sole defendant before the Federal High Court but is standing trial alongside two co-defendants in the FCT High Court.
In her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih upheld the prosecution’s arguments and held that the court possessed the requisite jurisdiction to hear the case.
The judge also ruled that the proceedings did not constitute an abuse of court process and consequently dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit.
Justice Anenih equally dismissed a similar application filed by the third defendant.
Following the ruling, the prosecution proceeded with its case and called its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli (SAN), Baffa told the court that he was familiar with Sherrif Plaza, a commercial shopping complex located at Plot 739, Abuja, comprising 276 shops.
He testified that Ali Bello approached his company to purchase a shop within the plaza.
“He came to our office, made enquiries about the shops and indicated interest in buying one. We gave him the application form and outlined the requirements. After meeting the requirements, he was provided with an account number and subsequently made payment,” he said.
The witness disclosed that Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 for N66 million, paying N40 million initially into the company’s FCMB account before settling the balance of N26 million.
He said an allocation letter was issued to Ali Bello upon completion of payment.
Under cross-examination, Baffa said he could identify Ali Bello if he saw him but denied being friends with him. He also confirmed that documents were exchanged during the transaction and that he had previously testified on the property before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Asked whether he knew Yahaya Bello, he replied that he knew him only as “a public figure.”
The prosecution subsequently called its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader.
Testifying before the court, the witness said he had previously been invited by the EFCC in connection with investigations into several property transactions and had made a statement to the commission.
He told the court that he facilitated the purchase of several properties on behalf of Ali Bello, including a property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, which he said was acquired for N48 million.
He further testified that another property at Plot 31, Guzape District, purchased from Alhaji Jimeta, was sold for N100 million.
According to him, a property located at Plot A02/176, Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, was purchased by Dr Faruk Bello for N105 million.
The witness also testified that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Road, Maitama, Abuja, was acquired by Faruk Bello from Efab Estate for N550 million.
“It was paid in United States dollars, in cash,” he told the court, adding that his commission was also paid in cash.
On Plot 1981, Dalla Hills, Maitama, he said he was not involved in the initial purchase but introduced Ali Bello to Metro Dec Construction Limited, the company handling the property’s development.
He further disclosed that he made several payments on Ali Bello’s behalf to the contractor, including N5.5 million, N9.8 million, N8 million and $6,000.
The witness also testified on the acquisition of Property No. 1058/1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse II, Abuja, popularly known as Durban Street.
According to him, Ali Bello requested that he source the property because he intended to develop a shopping plaza on the site.
“I got him that property at Durban Street, negotiated the transaction and it was purchased for N650 million from FSC Food Limited,” he said.
Following the witness’s testimony, defence counsel, P.B. Daudu (SAN), sought an adjournment to enable him begin cross-examination at the next sitting.
The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the witness had spent less than 20 minutes in the witness box and had not introduced any new issues.
After hearing both sides, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.