Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has shifted the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to October 7, 2025, due to the absence of a key prosecution witness.
The session, which was meant to proceed with the cross-examination of Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Zenith Bank Compliance Officer and the fourth prosecution witness, was stalled on Thursday.
Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), who represents the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), explained that the witness was unavailable because he was attending mandatory training.
“The witness is currently undergoing compulsory training and couldn’t appear today,” Pinheiro informed the court, adding that both the court and the defence were duly notified.
Although Pinheiro proposed October 6 for the rescheduled session, the defence counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), preferred October 7 and 10 instead, citing scheduling conflicts.
Aliyu also mentioned that the defence had submitted a motion challenging a publication by the EFCC that might influence the court’s judgment and asked that it be heard on October 7.
Following both counsels’ submissions, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to October 7 and 10 for cross-examination and motion hearing, with further trial dates set for November 8 and 9.
Bello is being tried on multiple charges bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of over N80.2 billion in state funds.
He has pleaded not guilty and accused the EFCC of procedural misconduct.