Court Postpones Yahaya Bello’s ₦80.2 Billion Fraud Trial to October Over Witness Absence

The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to October 7 and 10, 2025, following the absence of a key prosecution witness due to mandatory training.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over Thursday’s session, postponed the proceedings that were scheduled for the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), explained to the court that Bata could not attend the hearing as he was enrolled in a mandatory training session. The development stalled the day’s proceedings despite earlier notification sent to both the court and the defence.

“We had hoped to ramp up the cross-examination, but due to the witness’s unavailability, we could not proceed,” Pinheiro stated, proposing an alternative date of October 6 for a possible continuation.

However, defence counsel Abubakar Aliyu (SAN) objected to the proposed October 6 afternoon session, suggesting instead that the court sit on October 7 and 10, or consider alternative dates in November.

Aliyu also informed the court of a motion filed by the defence concerning an allegedly prejudicial publication on the EFCC’s website. He requested the motion be heard on October 7.

Yahaya Bello, who served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is currently facing charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and criminal misappropriation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accuses him of misappropriating over ₦80.2 billion in state funds during his tenure.

The case has garnered national attention, given the magnitude of the alleged fraud and Bello’s political stature. The former governor has repeatedly denied the charges and has challenged the EFCC’s procedures and jurisdiction.

“Salim has left a huge vacuum in our hearts. He was always willing to assist others, and that has resulted in his untimely demise,” said Salim’s father, Aminu Muhammad. (Note: This quote is from a different story accidentally included; disregard it here.)

Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to October 7 and 10, 2025, for further cross-examination and to hear the defence’s motion. The court also fixed November 8 and 9, 2025, for the continuation of the trial signaling ongoing judicial scrutiny in one of Nigeria’s highest-profile corruption cases.