The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the N80.2 billion fraud case to April 3 after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began presenting its witnesses.

Bello faces a 19-count charge related to money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the EFCC called its first witness, Fabian Nwora, chairman of Efab Properties Nigeria Limited, who testified that his company sold a Maitama, Abuja property for N550 million in 2020 to Shehu Bello, later discovering the sale agreement bore the name Dr. Bello Ohianyi. In 2023, Shehu requested a refund, citing an EFCC investigation.

“The EFCC directed us to refund the N550 million to a designated account, which we did in two instalments—N400 million first, followed by N150 million,” Nwora told the court.

Despite objections from Bello’s defence team, led by J.B. Daudu (SAN), over missing witness statements, Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled that the trial must proceed. She admitted the sale agreement and deed of assignment as exhibits before adjourning the case to April 3, April 24, and May 6 for continuation.