Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial to November 12

October 9, 2025
By Tobi Akinnubi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to November 12, 2025.

Justice Maryann Anenih fixed the new date on Thursday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its sixth witness in the ongoing trial.

At the resumed hearing, the fifth prosecution witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, a compliance officer with Polaris Bank, testified about several transactions allegedly linked to the disputed accounts under investigation.

Oluwafemi told the court that multiple credit transactions were made into the accounts from various sources, often in sums of ₦10 million each. She disclosed that the total credit inflows into the accounts in November 2021 amounted to ₦450 million.

During cross-examination by counsel to the first defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, the witness admitted that she was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager for the accounts and could not confirm how the transactions were initiated or executed.

Counsel to the second defendant, A.M. Aliyu, also cross-examined the witness, drawing her attention to an exhibit that did not contain the name Abdulsalam Hudu, which she confirmed.

The EFCC thereafter called its sixth witness, Mshelia Arhyel, who was also cross-examined by the defense team.

Daudu informed the court that he had not completed cross-examination of the same witness in a related matter pending before another court. However, Justice Anenih ruled that the current proceedings were independent and would continue as scheduled.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello and others on allegations bordering on money laundering and financial misappropriation during his tenure as Kogi State Governor.