The high-profile fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been adjourned to July 8, 2025, with additional hearing dates fixed for October 8 and 9, as well as November 12 and 13, 2025. The adjournment was announced by Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 26.
Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing multiple charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged ₦110 billion fraud. The EFCC alleges that the trio violated key provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws and criminal breach of trust statutes, with ₦4.4 billion directly linked to suspicious transactions.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the EFCC opened its case with testimony from its first witness, Fabian Nwora, chairman of EFAB Properties. Nwora recounted how he initially began negotiations on a Maitama property allegedly tied to the scandal, but later handed the deal over to Segun Adeleke; a decision he said was made due to developments in the transaction. Nwora said he was summoned by the EFCC earlier in the year over his role in the property deal, which he noted was introduced to him by an associate named Shehu.
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Adeleke also took the stand, guided by lead prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). He testified that he was directed by Nwora in 2020 to finalize negotiations for the property, which was eventually sold. However, Adeleke revealed that Bello later pulled out, citing concerns over the EFCC’s ongoing investigation into the transaction.
Questions also arose during the hearing about a separate property unit sold by EFAB Property to one Nuhu Muhammed. The witness confirmed that legal documents were issued to Muhammed after he completed his purchase, adding another layer to the investigation surrounding real estate transactions linked to the alleged fraud.
At a tense moment during cross-examination, legal counsel representing Shehu attempted to block certain pieces of evidence, arguing they lacked direct relevance to the case. However, the prosecution countered the objection, and Justice Anenih overruled it, allowing the evidence to be admitted.
The trial, which has drawn national attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and the involvement of a former governor, is expected to resume on July 8. With billions at stake and questions swirling around property deals, shell companies, and possible political cover-ups, the coming weeks could be pivotal in what is shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most consequential corruption trials in recent history.