The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello seeking to strike out a ₦110 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ruling clears the way for the trial to continue.
Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled that the FCT High Court has the authority to hear the case.
As a result, the court rejected Bello’s request to dismiss the 16-count charge.
Bello is facing prosecution in a case filed by the EFCC over alleged fraud and related offences.
The former governor had argued that the court lacked territorial jurisdiction to handle the matter.
Furthermore, he claimed that the case amounted to an abuse of court process because another criminal case involving him is already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Through his lawyer, J.B. Daudu (SAN), Bello urged the court to strike out the charge.
According to the defence, the existence of a similar case before the Federal High Court made the current proceedings improper.
The legal team argued that both cases were connected and should not run simultaneously.
Therefore, they asked the court to terminate the proceedings.
However, the EFCC strongly opposed the request.
Lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), described the application as lacking merit.
He argued that the charges before the FCT High Court were based on the Penal Code. Consequently, the court was the proper venue for the trial.
In addition, Pinheiro noted that several properties linked to the alleged offences are located in Abuja.
According to him, this gives the FCT High Court territorial jurisdiction over the matter.
The EFCC also dismissed Bello’s claim that the case was an abuse of court process.
Pinheiro explained that the charges before the two courts are different.
While the Federal High Court case focuses on alleged money laundering offences, the FCT High Court matter involves allegations of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the parties in both cases are not the same.
Bello is the sole defendant in the Federal High Court case. However, he is standing trial alongside two co-defendants before the FCT High Court.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Anenih agreed with the EFCC.
The judge ruled that the court has the required jurisdiction to hear the case.
She also held that the proceedings do not amount to an abuse of court process.
Consequently, Bello’s application was dismissed in its entirety.
A similar application filed by the third defendant was also rejected for lacking merit.
Following the ruling, the court directed the prosecution to continue presenting its case.
The EFCC subsequently called its 16th prosecution witness, who was already in court and ready to testify.
The latest ruling marks another setback for Bello as the high-profile fraud trial moves forward.
