The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud was stalled on Thursday, July 3, 2025, leading to an adjournment till October.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, adjourned the proceedings following the absence of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank.
The case was slated for the continuation of Bata’s cross-examination, but prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the witness was attending a mandatory training and could not be present for the day’s sitting.
“My lord, the matter was for cross-examination of PW4, Aryan Mashelia Bata, but unfortunately, the witness who was supposed to be in the witness box is attending a mandatory training. Because of that, he will not be available for today’s proceedings,” Pinheiro explained.
He noted that both the court and the defence had been formally notified of the development and proposed October 6 for the continuation of the cross-examination.
However, defence counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, opposed the proposed date, preferring October 7 and 10, or alternative dates in November. He also informed the court of a pending motion filed in respect of a publication related to the case on the EFCC’s website, urging that the motion be scheduled for hearing on October 7.
After considering both parties’ submissions, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to October 7 and 10, 2025, for the continuation of the cross-examination and hearing of the motion, and to November 8 and 9, 2025, for further trial proceedings.
