FCT High Court for Abuja don dismiss application wey former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, file to make dem strike out N110bn fraud charge wey EFCC bring against am.
Justice Annenih deliver the ruling on June 16, 2026, for charge number FCT/CR/778/2024: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors. The judge hold say the court get jurisdiction to hear the case.
Bello lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, and senior advocates argue say FCT High Court no get territorial jurisdiction to handle the matter. Dem also claim say the charge amount to abuse of court process because another related case dey before Federal High Court for charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024.
But EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, oppose the application. He say Bello application na misconception and just dey aim to delay trial. Pinheiro submit say the offences for the charge dey based on Penal Code provisions, so FCT High Court fit properly try am.
Pinheiro argue say the properties wey dem allegedly acquire with proceeds of the offences dey inside Abuja, so FCT High Court get territorial jurisdiction. For abuse of court process, he say the two cases dey for different offences. The FCT High Court case concern criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under Penal Code, while Federal High Court case dey for money laundering under Money Laundering Act.
He also note say the parties no be same. Bello na sole defendant for Federal High Court, but for FCT High Court, dem dey prosecute am with two co-defendants.
For ruling, Justice Annenih agree with EFCC submissions. The judge hold say FCT High Court get jurisdiction to hear the charge. She also say the proceedings no amount to abuse of court process. So she dismiss Bello application for lacking merit. She also dismiss similar application wey third defendant file.
After ruling, the court order say trial must continue. The prosecution go call dia 16th witness wey already dey court and ready to testify.
