Trial of Yahaya Bello’s Nephew Stalled as New Counsel Takes Over

​ABUJA — The ongoing trial of Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, faced a fresh setback on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The proceedings, centered on an alleged N10.27 billion money laundering scheme, were adjourned until May 2026 to allow a newly appointed senior advocate time to study the voluminous case files.

​Ali Bello, a nephew of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman on an amended 16-count charge. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the duo conspired to misappropriate and divert public funds totaling over N10.2 billion through various illicit financial channels.

​Legal Fireworks Over Change of Counsel

​The atmosphere in the courtroom of Justice James Omotosho grew tense when Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ahmed Raji announced his appearance as the lead defense counsel for Bello. Raji promptly requested a short adjournment, explaining that he had been briefed on the matter only 24 hours prior and needed adequate time to familiarize himself with the trial’s history and documentary evidence.

​The application met stiff resistance from the EFCC lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). Invoking the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Oyedepo argued that the defense had failed to follow statutory procedures for changing or adding legal representation.

​“The law is clear under Sections 46 and 49 of the ACJA; a formal notice of change of counsel must be filed at least three days before the hearing,” Oyedepo contended. He characterized the oral application as “speculative” and urged the court to proceed with the trial to prevent further delays in a case involving significant public funds.

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​Fair Hearing vs. Speedy Trial

​In his ruling, Justice Omotosho acknowledged the procedural concerns raised by the prosecution but emphasized that the constitutional right to a fair hearing outweighs technical infractions. The judge noted that denying a defendant’s new counsel the time to prepare could jeopardize the integrity of the trial.

​“The interest of justice and the principle of fair hearing must take precedence,” Justice Omotosho ruled, subsequently adjourning the matter to May 5 and 6, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

​High-Stakes Allegations

​The EFCC’s case against Bello and Sulaiman involves intricate allegations of moving state funds into private accounts under the guise of “government expenditures.” This trial is one of several high-profile anti-corruption cases currently targeting figures associated with the previous Kogi State administration.

​Despite the EFCC’s readiness to call more witnesses and tender forensic financial reports, the repeated adjournments have drawn criticism from civil society groups concerned about the slow pace of justice in cases involving politically exposed persons (PEPs).

​The court has mandated that all parties be fully prepared for the May dates, signaling that no further delays regarding counsel transitions will be entertained.