By Njoku Chijioke
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud to October 7, 2025.
The adjournment followed the absence of the fourth prosecution witness, Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, who was scheduled for cross-examination but was unavailable due to mandatory training.
Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the witness’s absence and initially proposed October 6 for continuation of cross-examination.
“My lord, the matter was for cross-examination of PW4, Aryan Mashelia Bata, but unfortunately, the witness is attending a mandatory training,” he said.
Defense counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, did not oppose the adjournment but objected to the proposed October 6 date, preferring October 7 and 10 or alternative dates in November.
He also informed the court of a motion filed concerning a publication on the EFCC’s website and requested that the motion be heard on October 7.
After hearing from both parties, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to October 7 and 10, 2025, for continuation of cross-examination and hearing of the motion, and further to November 8 and 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
