Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial To November 11

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, to Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation of hearing in the alleged N80.2 billion fraud case.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of criminal diversion and misappropriation of Kogi State funds during his tenure as governor.

Monday’s proceedings featured a lengthy session that included the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, as well as testimonies from three additional witnesses representing Zenith Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, and Access Bank.

During cross-examination, Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, confirmed that multiple cash withdrawals were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke, in tranches of N10 million.

He further revealed that several hotels—including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels—were among the beneficiaries of various transactions from the same account.

Following the cross-examination, the prosecution, led by Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, declined re-examination, and the witness was discharged.

The EFCC then called its fifth witness (PW5), Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank Nigeria Limited, who appeared under subpoena. She produced and tendered the statement of account of Moses Wadzu Ileku, covering January to December 2016, which was admitted in evidence as Exhibit 29. Akoni identified several deposits made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging between N3 million and N20 million.

The sixth prosecution witness (PW6), Mohammed Bello Hassan, a relationship officer with Keystone Bank, also testified under subpoena. He produced the statement of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, which the court admitted as Exhibit 31.

Hassan testified that between February 17 and 22, 2021, a total of N100 million was transferred into the account by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak, though he admitted under cross-examination that he did not personally know the individuals.

The day’s proceedings concluded with the testimony of Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, who appeared as PW7. Egoro presented 12 sets of documents in response to a subpoena issued to the bank, noting that while some account opening packages could not be retrieved, the bank provided verified customer details from its database.

After clarifications between the prosecution and defence teams, the documents were admitted in evidence without objection.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.