The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking to strike out the ₦110 billion fraud charge instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, held that it possesses the jurisdiction to entertain the case and ordered that the trial should continue.
CityNews reports that Bello is being prosecuted in Charge No. FCT/CR/778/2024: FRN v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors.
The former governor, through his lead counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), had urged the court to strike out the 16-count charge on the grounds that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He also argued that the case constituted an abuse of court process because a related criminal case involving him was already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defence maintained that the existence of Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 before the Federal High Court made the present proceedings improper.
Counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as misconceived and intended to delay the trial.
Pinheiro argued that the offences contained in the charge were based on provisions of the Penal Code and were therefore properly triable before the FCT High Court.
He further submitted that several properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the offences were located in Abuja, thereby giving the court territorial jurisdiction over the matter.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the senior advocate argued that the charges before the two courts were different in nature and substance.
According to him, the matter before the FCT High Court relates to allegations of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code, while the case before the Federal High Court concerns alleged money laundering offences under the Money Laundering Act.
Pinheiro also pointed out that the parties in the two cases were not the same, noting that Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court matter, whereas he is standing trial alongside two co-defendants before the FCT High Court.
In a ruling delivered on June 16, 2026, Justice Anenih agreed with the submissions of the EFCC and held that the court had the requisite jurisdiction to hear the case.
The judge also ruled that the proceedings did not amount to an abuse of court process.
Consequently, the court dismissed Bello’s application in its entirety.
A similar application filed by the third defendant in the case was equally dismissed for lacking merit.
Following the ruling, Justice Anenih directed that the trial should proceed.
The court subsequently ordered the prosecution to continue with its case by presenting its 16th prosecution witness, who was already in court and prepared to testify.
