Abuja, Nigeria — November 12, 2025 l By Dalena Reporters
In a significant development that underscores the urgency of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda, the Yahaya Bello-led case has been adjourned to January 29, 2026. The former Governor of Kogi State, who served from 2016 to 2024, is standing trial on a 19-count money-laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, the case proceeded with the testimony of the 7th prosecution witness, Olomotame Egoro, a compliance officer at Access Bank Plc. Egoro concluded his evidence after corroborating that account statements linked to the Kogi State Government House Administration – covering December 2018 to August 2021 – contained multiple columns of financial transactions pertaining to withdrawals and transfers.
The EFCC, represented by counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, sought to tender documents designated as Exhibits 33(1-11) and 34 through the witness. The defence, led by Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, raised objections — arguing that the certificate of identification for the documents was signed by a person not in the witness box, thus calling into question the authenticity of the exhibits. The judge granted a brief stand-down to resolve these procedural issues before adjourning the case.
The charges allege that Bello’s administration diverted funds totaling approximately ₦80.2 billion from government accounts. During earlier testimony, a Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank affirmed that Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary of certain withdrawals – a point the defence emphasised.
The prosecution contends that the transactions involved local governments’ monies and state-owned entities funnelled through private companies and non-state accounts. For example, inflows to a company called Fazac Business Enterprise and withdrawals in tranches of ₦10 million were spotlighted.
This adjournment comes amid growing public demand for accountability in the face of widespread corruption in Nigeria’s sub-national governments. Analysts say the trial has become emblematic of efforts to hold high-level officials to account — or the lack thereof — in the nation’s fight against illicit financial flows.
However, critics caution that postponements, procedural wrangling and questions about evidence chain-of-custody may undermine public confidence. As one legal observer told us:
“Even if the value of alleged looted funds is large, if the evidentiary foundation is weak, the state risks losing the moral high ground.”
The court has set January 29, 2026 as the date for continuation of the trial, with additional sittings slated for January 30, February 4 and February 5. In the interim, the EFCC is expected to call further witnesses and pursue the digital forensic trail linked to the alleged misappropriated funds.
For the citizens of Kogi State, the outcome of this case may prove a litmus for the broader reform agenda — whether governance standards will change or whether impunity remains entrenched.
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