The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, challenging its jurisdiction to hear the ₦110.4 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, who is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering, had asked the court to strike out the case. He argued that the FCT High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction and that the matter constituted an abuse of court process because a similar case is pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, the court dismissed the application, ruling that it has the jurisdiction to entertain the charges against the former governor and his co-defendants.

The decision clears the way for the continuation of Bello’s trial over the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud. The defendants have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case was subsequently adjourned for the continuation of proceedings.