The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), presided over by Justice Anenih, has dismissed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking to quash a 16-count charge bordering on alleged ₦110 billion fraud, ruling that the case must proceed to full trial.
Key Highlights:
- Yahaya Bello lost his bid to stop his ₦110bn fraud trial.
- An FCT High Court ruled that the case should proceed.
- The court rejected arguments on jurisdiction and abuse of process.
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission argued the case was valid and should continue.
- The prosecution was ordered to proceed with its witnesses.
The decision was delivered on June 16, 2026, in charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024: FRN v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors, effectively clearing the way for the prosecution to continue presenting its case.
Bello through his lawyers had asked the court to strike out the charges, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He also claimed that the case amounted to an abuse of court process due to the existence of a related proceeding before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His legal team further maintained that the ongoing Federal High Court case, charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, involved similar issues and therefore rendered the current proceedings duplicative and improper.
However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as a delay tactic designed to stall the trial.
The EFCC argued that the alleged offences fall under the Penal Code and are therefore properly within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
It further maintained that the properties linked to the alleged proceeds of crime are located within Abuja, strengthening the court’s territorial authority.
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Pinheiro also rejected the claim of abuse of court process, explaining that the two cases involve different offences and legal frameworks.
According to him, the FCT High Court case centres on allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy, while the Federal High Court matter relates to money laundering under the Money Laundering Act.
He further noted that the defendants are not identical in both cases, as Bello is the sole accused in the Federal High Court case, while he is standing trial alongside two co-defendants in the FCT High Court matter.
Delivering ruling, Justice Anenih upheld the EFCC’s arguments, ruling that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case and that no abuse of process had been established. The judge consequently dismissed Bello’s application.
A similar application filed by the third defendant was also struck out for lacking merit.
Following the ruling, the court ordered that the trial should proceed without delay, directing the prosecution to continue its case with the testimony of its 16th witness (PW16), who was already present in court and prepared to testify.
