The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud took a fresh turn in Abuja as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendered additional bank records before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, underscoring renewed efforts to trace public funds allegedly diverted under his watch.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC prosecutors presented compliance officers from Zenith Bank, FCMB and Sterling Bank, who detailed multiple transactions linked to Bello and co-defendants, including large inflows from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and payments to private companies and institutions.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Justice MaryAnne Anenih, who is presiding over the case, adjourned proceedings to Friday, January 16, 2026, for continuation of trial, as defence lawyers subjected prosecution witnesses to cross-examination over the origins and purposes of the transactions listed in the bank statements.
Beyond the courtroom, prominent cleric and lawyer, Pastor Tunde Bakare, warned that Nigeria’s justice system is being weakened by deep-rooted corruption, calling for urgent ethical and institutional reforms.
Speaking at the Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture in Lagos, Bakare lamented political interference, conflicting judgments and what he described as a growing “integrity deficit” among judges and lawyers.
Adding a harsher perspective, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salisu Usman, advocated the death penalty for convicted corrupt officials, arguing that corruption has crippled Nigeria’s development and global image.
He made the call during an inaugural lecture at the Federal University, Lokoja, stressing that only decisive action can deter the systemic abuse of public resources.