The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion alleged fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Maryanne Anenih delivered the ruling on Tuesday, holding that the court possesses the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the charges and rejecting Bello’s application for lacking merit.
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 his application, Bello sought an order striking 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 over the matter. He further contended that the proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process due to the existence of a separate charge, FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, currently pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as misconceived and intended to delay the trial. He argued that the offences were brought under the Penal Code and were therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court.
Pinheiro also submitted that properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences were located within Abuja, thereby giving the court territorial jurisdiction over the case.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the senior advocate maintained that the charge before the FCT High Court was distinct from the matter before the Federal High Court. According to him, the FCT case centres on allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, while the Federal High Court matter concerns alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
He further argued that the parties involved in both cases were not the same, noting that Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court case but is being prosecuted alongside two co-defendants before the FCT High Court.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih agreed with the prosecution’s submissions, holding that the court had the legal authority to hear the case. She also ruled that the proceedings did not constitute an abuse of court process and consequently dismissed Bello’s application.
The judge similarly dismissed a related application filed by the third defendant, describing it as equally unmeritorious.
Following the ruling, the court ordered the trial to continue, after which the prosecution called its 16th witness, Baba Isah Usman Baffa.
Baffa testified that he was familiar with Sherrif Plaza, a commercial shopping complex in Abuja comprising 276 shops. He told the court that Ali Bello approached his company to purchase a shop within the complex.
According to the witness, Ali Bello completed the necessary requirements and subsequently purchased Shop B13 for N66 million. He explained that an initial payment of N40 million was made into the company’s FCMB account, while the balance of N26 million was paid later.
Upon completion of payment, the company issued an allocation letter and formally allocated the shop to the purchaser.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, P.B. Daudu, SAN, Baffa stated that he could identify Ali Bello if he saw him but denied having any personal relationship with him. He also confirmed that transaction documents were exchanged and acknowledged having previously testified on the same property before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Asked whether he knew Yahaya Bello, the witness replied that he knew him only as “a public figure.”
The prosecution later called its 17th witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader.
Testifying before the court, the witness disclosed that he facilitated several property transactions for Ali Bello, including the sale of a property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, for N48 million and another property at Plot 31, Guzape District, for N100 million.
He further testified that a property at Plot A02/176, Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, was purchased by Dr. Faruk Bello for N105 million.
Shenu Bello also told the court that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Road, Maitama, Abuja, was acquired by Faruk Bello from Efab Estate for N550 million and that payment was made in United States dollars in cash.
The witness additionally gave evidence regarding transactions involving Plot 1981, Dalla Hills, Maitama, and a property on Durban Street in Wuse II, Abuja, which he said was purchased for N650 million from FSC Food Limited after Ali Bello expressed interest in developing a shopping plaza on the site.
Following the witness’s testimony, defence counsel sought an adjournment, arguing that proceedings had lasted for an extended period.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that the witness had spent less than 20 minutes in the witness box and that other witnesses were available to testify.
After considering the arguments of both parties, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
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