Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial till October 7

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, July 3,  adjourned proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, over an alleged ?80.2 billion fraud.

The matter, which was slated for continuation of cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, could not proceed as scheduled due to the absence of the witness.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the witness was attending a mandatory training and was therefore unavailable for the day’s proceedings. “My lord, the matter was for cross-examination of PW4, Aryan Mashelia Bata, but unfortunately, the witness who was supposed to be in the witness box is attending a mandatory training. Because of that, he will not be available for today’s proceedings,” he said.

Pinheiro stated that the development had been officially communicated to the court and the defence. “We had hoped to ramp up the cross-examination, but because of the delay, we could not proceed.  However, we have engaged our learned brothers and proposed dates, subject to the convenience of the court,” he said.   He proposed October 6,  2025 in the afternoon for continuation of cross examination

Defence counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, did not oppose the application for adjournment but objected to the proposal of continuing proceedings in the afternoon of October 6.  He instead preferred October 7 and 10 or alternatively dates in November.

He further informed the court that the defence had filed a motion regarding a publication related to the proceedings on the EFCC’s website and requested that it be slated for hearing on October 7.

After listening to both parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till October 7 and 10, 2025, for continuation of cross-examination and hearing of the motion, and November 8 and 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.

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