Kogi Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Faces Continued Trial Over ₦80.2bn Scam

• The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, accused of diverting ₦80.2 billion, with proceedings set to resume on November 11, 2025.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, November 10, 2025, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, until Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation.

Bello is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion in Kogi State funds during his tenure as governor.

The adjournment followed a long day of proceedings, including the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank. Arhyel testified that multiple cash withdrawals, often in multiples of ₦10 million, were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.

Arhyel further revealed that several hotels, including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels, received payments from the account.

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The prosecution then called Jesutoni Akoni of Ecobank as PW5, who produced and tendered the statement of account of Moses Wadzu Ileku, covering January to December 2016. Akoni identified deposits ranging from ₦3 million to ₦20 million made by individuals including Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello.

PW6, Mohammed Bello Hassan of Keystone Bank, produced the statement of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company. He disclosed that between February 17 and 22, 2021, a total of ₦100 million was transferred into the account by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak.

The day ended with testimony from PW7, Olomotane Egoro of Access Bank, who submitted 12 sets of account documents. While some account opening packages were missing, sufficient customer details were provided and admitted into evidence without objection.

Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to November 11, 2025, for continuation of proceedings.