Yahaya Bello’s N80.2bn Corruption Trial ‘Political, Not Money Laundering’ – SAN Tells Court

Abuja, Nigeria – February 4, 2026 – The corruption trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged misappropriation of N80.2 billion has been described as political by his legal team, rather than a legitimate money laundering case.

Speaking at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu, representing Bello, argued that the charges lack merit. His remarks followed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, assertion in court that local government payment irregularities amounted to “stealing by disguise.”

Daudu emphasized that Bello never served as a local government chairman in Kogi State, a point confirmed by EFCC’s seventh witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank. Egoro testified that Bello’s name did not appear in any local government transactions, either as a sender or recipient.

The Access Bank official also stated that payments into Keyless Nature Limited and Fayzade Business Enterprise reflected ordinary banking transactions, intended for educational materials, medical supplies, sporting equipment, and agricultural inputs, among others. “A customer has the right to spend their money unless fraud is involved,” Egoro told the court.

During cross-examination, Daudu asked whether any court order or fraud reports were linked to the transactions, to which the witness replied in the negative.

“The former governor wasn’t a local government chairman in Kogi State,” Egoro confirmed under oath.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to February 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation.

The trial remains under intense public scrutiny as debates rage over whether the case is a genuine fight against corruption or a politically motivated action targeting Bello.

Yahaya Bello trial, Kogi State corruption, EFCC, N80.2bn fraud, Joseph Daudu SAN, Nigerian politics, money laundering allegations