Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Bid to Quash ₦110bn Fraud Charge, Affirms Jurisdiction
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello seeking to strike out the ₦110 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Annenih delivered the ruling on June 16, 2026, in charge number FCT/CR/778/2024: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Yahaya Adoza Bello & 2 Ors, holding that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Bello, through his lead counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, and a team of senior advocates, had asked the court to dismiss the 16-count charge on the grounds that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction over the case. He also argued that the charge constituted an abuse of court process because a related matter, identified as charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, is pending before the Federal High Court.
Counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that Bello’s request was misconceived and intended to delay the trial. He maintained that the offences contained in the charge were based on provisions of the Penal Code and were therefore properly within the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court.
Pinheiro further argued that properties allegedly acquired with proceeds of the alleged offences, which form part of the basis of the case, are located in Abuja, giving the court territorial jurisdiction.
On the allegation of abuse of court process, the EFCC argued that the cases before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court involve different offences. According to the prosecution, the FCT High Court matter concerns allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy under the Penal Code, while the Federal High Court case relates to alleged money laundering offences under the Money Laundering Act.
The EFCC also noted that the parties in the two cases differ, explaining that Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court matter, while he is standing trial alongside two co-defendants in the FCT High Court case.
In his ruling, Justice Annenih agreed with the EFCC’s arguments and held that the FCT High Court has the necessary jurisdiction to hear the charge. The court also ruled that the proceedings do not amount to an abuse of court process.
Consequently, the court dismissed Bello’s application for lacking merit and also rejected a similar application filed by the third defendant.
Following the ruling, the court ordered the trial to continue and directed the prosecution to call its 16th witness, who was already present in court and prepared to testify.
