The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud leveled against him by the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has suffered yet another setback, as the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned proceedings to October 7 and 10, 2025, due to the absence of a key prosecution witness.
The case was scheduled to continue with the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness who was a compliance officer at Zenith Bank, Aryan Bata, but could not hold due to her failure to appear in court, prompting an adjournment.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, informed the court yesterday that the witness was unavailable due to his participation in a mandatory training session. She requested an alternative trial date, suggesting October 6.
The defence team, led by Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, objected to the proposed date, citing scheduling conflicts. Following deliberations, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to October 7 and 10, with additional hearings fixed for November 8 and 9, 2025.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing multiple charges bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and the alleged misappropriation of over ₦80.2 billion in public funds. He has repeatedly denied the allegations and is currently challenging various aspects of the case in court.
The case has continued to attract national attention, seen by many as a litmus test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and the effectiveness of the judicial process in holding powerful political figures accountable.
