Court Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Jurisdiction Challenge in N110.4bn Fraud Case


 

By Abdulahi Musa 


A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the N110.4 billion fraud case instituted against him.


Justice Maryanne Anenih, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, ruled that the court has the legal authority to entertain the charges brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judge consequently rejected the former governor’s request seeking to have the case struck out on jurisdictional grounds.


Bello is facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion, offences allegedly committed during his tenure as governor of Kogi State. The EFCC had accused him of diverting public funds through multiple transactions and financial arrangements in violation of anti-corruption laws.


In his application, Bello argued that the charges were incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter. His legal team urged the court to dismiss the case, contending that the alleged offences did not fall within the court’s authority as presented by the prosecution.


However, Justice Anenih held that the arguments advanced by the defence lacked merit and affirmed that the court was properly constituted to adjudicate on the charges. The ruling cleared the way for the continuation of Bello’s trial.


Following the decision, the court directed that proceedings on the substantive case should continue, paving the way for the EFCC to present its evidence and witnesses in support of the allegations.


The former governor has consistently denied all allegations levelled against him, maintaining his innocence as the trial progresses. The case remains one of the high-profile corruption prosecutions currently before the courts, attracting significant public and political attention.

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