Alleged ₦110.4b Fraud: Yahaya Bello’s Trial Continues March 11

Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, till March 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge, bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the continuation of the cross-examination of the 10th Prosecution Witness, PW10, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc.

The witness had earlier testified at the previous proceeding, where he narrated how funds were allegedly moved through multiple bank accounts.

During the cross-examination, defence counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, requested that the statement of account of Fazab Business Enterprise Limited be shown to the witness.

Drawing the witness’s attention to the 14th column of the statement, particularly an entry dated June 24, 2022, Daudu asked him to confirm an outflow described as payment for the supply of educational materials.

The witness in response confirmed the transaction, stating: “It was for the supply of educational materials in the sum of ₦20 million.”

The defence counsel also referred the witness to several withdrawals reflected in the account statement and asked whether he recalled the transactions.

The witness answered in the affirmative but stated that he could not determine the purpose of the withdrawals.

The witness also confirmed the transfer of ₦86 million from Fazab Business Enterprise Limited to Ejadams Essence Limited, but said he could not explain the reason for the payment.

Asked whether he was in a position to state why the funds were transferred, the witness replied in the negative.

He was also asked if he was aware of any business relationship between Fazab Business Enterprise Limited and Hadassah Katriel Global Enterprise, to which he denied knowledge.

The witness, however, noted that most of the cash withdrawals were structured to fall below ₦10 million.

When asked whether a Suspicious Transaction Report, STR had been filed regarding the transactions and if such a report was before the court, he said “No, my lord.”

Justice Anineh adjourned the matter till March 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.