The ongoing money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been adjourned by the Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama to November 12, 2025, after hearing from a key prosecution witness.
The trial, which centres on allegations of diverting over ₦110 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government, resumed with testimony from a compliance officer of Polaris Bank, Victoria Oluwafemi, who detailed cash movements in the government’s account.
According to the witness, several withdrawals of ₦10 million each were made from the account between 2021 and 2022, with a balance of about ₦450 million left at the time. She, however, told the court that she was not the relationship manager handling the transactions directly.
During cross examination, Bello’s lead counsel J B Daudu SAN questioned the credibility of the evidence, pointing out that his client’s co defendant Abdulsalami Hudu was not listed among the account signatories or mentioned in the bank records presented.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who presided over the case, overruled the defence’s objection to the admissibility of the account statement, allowing the 218 page document to be admitted as Exhibit P1. The record reportedly showed multiple cash withdrawals and dollar transfers made to private individuals.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC is prosecuting Bello and two others Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and money laundering. The agency alleges that the defendants used public funds to purchase high value properties within and outside Nigeria.
The court had earlier granted the former governor bail in the sum of ₦500 million with three sureties following his brief remand at Kuje Prison earlier this year. The next hearing will continue with cross examination of witnesses as the EFCC seeks to establish its case.
