Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, in connection with an alleged N80.2 billion fraud, to October 7, 2025.
Thursday’s hearing was scheduled to continue the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank.
However, the proceedings were stalled due to the absence of the witness.
The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), informed the court that the witness was absent because he was attending a mandatory training session.
“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 mandatory training. Because of that, he will not be available for today’s proceedings,” Pinheiro told the court.
He added that the witness’s absence had been duly communicated to both the court and the defence team.
“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.
Pinheiro proposed that the continuation of cross-examination be held in the afternoon of October 6, 2025.
However, defence counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), did not oppose the adjournment itself but raised objections to the proposed October 6 afternoon session.
Instead, he suggested that the court sit on October 7 and 10, or consider dates in November.
Aliyu also informed the court that the defence had filed a motion concerning a publication on the website of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he argued could prejudice the ongoing proceedings.
He requested that the motion be heard on October 7.
Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter until October 7 and 10, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination and the hearing of the defence motion.
The court also fixed November 8 and 9, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
Bello, who served as governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing multiple charges related to money laundering, breach of trust, and criminal misappropriation.
The EFCC alleged that Bello, during his time as governor, misappropriated over N80.2 billion belonging to the state.
The case has generated national attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and the former governor’s status.
Bello, who has consistently denied the charges, has been engaged in legal battles with the EFCC over jurisdictional issues and the conduct of investigations.
Meanwhile, the trial is being closely watched as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to holding high-profile public officials accountable in its fight against corruption.
