The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the alleged N110.4 billion fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a ruling delivered yesterday, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the court had the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over the charge. The former governor had asked the court to strike out the case marked FCT/CR/778/2024, arguing that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction and that the proceedings amounted to an abuse of court process due to a similar charge pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as an attempt to delay the trial.

According to Pinheiro, the alleged offences are properly before the FCT High Court because they relate to provisions of the Penal Code. He added that the property allegedly acquired with the proceeds of the offences was located within Abuja.

He also maintained that the two cases before the FCT High Court and Federal High Court were different in substance and law, noting that while one involves alleged criminal breach of trust and conspiracy, the other relates to alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

Upholding the prosecution’s arguments, Justice Anenih dismissed the application for lack of merit.

The court also dismissed a similar application by the third defendant and ordered that the trial should continue.

Meanwhile, during yesterday’s proceedings, the prosecution called its 16th witness, Baba Baffa, who testified about the purchase of a shop at Sherrif Plaza, Abuja. Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased Shop B13 at the plaza for 66 million naira, with 40 million naira paid initially and the balance settled later.

Another witness, Shenu Bello, an estate agent and commodity trader, testified on several property transactions involving Ali Bello. He told the court that he facilitated the purchase of properties in Guzape, Wuse Zone 7, Maitama, and other parts of Abuja, including a property on Durban Street bought for 650 million naira.

The witness also testified that a property in Maitama was acquired for 550 million naira and paid for in United States dollars.

Following an application for adjournment by defence counsel, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.