The trial of former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud has been adjourned to October 7, 2025, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Proceedings were scheduled for Thursday, July 3, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank. However, the session could not hold as planned due to the witness’s absence.
Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that Bata was attending a mandatory training programme and was unavailable for the day’s hearing. Pinheiro proposed that the cross-examination be rescheduled for the afternoon of October 6.
Defence counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, did not oppose the adjournment but objected to the proposed date and time, preferring October 7 and 10 instead, or alternatively dates in November.
Aliyu also told the court that the defence had filed a motion relating to a publication about the case on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) website and requested that it be heard on October 7.
After hearing from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to October 7 and 10, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination and hearing of the motion, and further to November 8 and 9, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.