The trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, continued on Thursday, January 15, and Friday, January 16, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) tendering additional bank records as evidence.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC informed the court that fresh financial documents had been submitted, allegedly showing that a consultant received about ₦1.1 billion within eight months. The anti-graft agency presented the records as part of its ongoing effort to establish its case against the former governor.
The prosecution team, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, continued the examination and cross-examination of several prosecution witnesses. Among them were Prosecution Witness Six (PW6), Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank; Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), Muhammed Bello Hassan of Keystone Bank; Prosecution Witness Eight (PW8), Gabriel Ocha of First City Monument Bank (FCMB); and Prosecution Witness Nine (PW9), A.D. Ojoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank.
The witnesses gave accounts relating to various bank transactions tendered by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, Chief Richard Asaje was present in court in solidarity with Bello and expressed support for the former governor.
He urged the court to carefully and objectively scrutinize the newly tendered bank records, including claims relating to the alleged consultant who reportedly received ₦1.1 billion within eight months.
Asaje also cautioned the EFCC against what he described as external pressure, urging the agency to remain professional and impartial in the discharge of its duties.
He warned political actors against using the EFCC as a tool for political witch-hunt, stressing that the commission should avoid unnecessarily prolonging legal proceedings and overburdening the judiciary.
He further described the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and called on all stakeholders to ensure that it remains independent and free from external influence. Asaje expressed confidence that the judicial process would prevail and prayed for the eventual vindication of Yahaya Bello.
The trial continues as the court adjourned for further hearing.
