The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering trial of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, to March 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.
The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleges that Bello was involved in financial mismanagement and the laundering of public funds during his tenure as governor.
The adjournment was announced during Thursday’s court session, with the presiding judge setting the next hearing date for March 7, 2025.
The trial is part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts by the EFCC as the agency continues to prosecute former public officials accused of embezzlement and money laundering. The case has garnered national attention, given Bello’s political influence and the wider implications for governance and accountability in Nigeria.
When the matter was called on Thursday, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called its witness on subpoena, Williams Abimbola.
Abimbola, a Compliant Officer with the United Bank for Africa Plc, confirmed to the court that a further subpoena was served on the bank.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena and marked it ‘Exhibit 7.
The suboeana, according to the prosecution, requested the production of the statement of account of one Maselina Njoku from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020.
The witness confirmed that it was the request from the bank and added that a certificate of compliance was also issued.