EFCC witness: Yahaya Bello didn’t purchase properties linked to ‘N80bn fraud’ case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday called witnesses in the ongoing trial of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to N80 billion.

At the federal high court in Abuja on Monday, the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinhero, called its first witness, Segun Adeleke, a general manager at Efab Properties Limited.

Adeleke testified about two properties — one located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama, Abuja, and another at House 12, 59 Crescent, Gwarinpa — both linked to the case.

He told the court that in 2020, Fabian Nwora, his chairman, introduced him to one Shehu Bello, who expressed interest in purchasing the Maitama property for N550 million.

“We had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property in question. And he told me that the young man would be coming back to make payment for the property at an agreed price of N550 million,” he said.

When asked if he had seen Bello since that day, he said: “I saw him three times”. 

“The first time was for introduction, the second time for payment and the third time was when he brought a legal document for the execution of the EFAB property,” Adeleke added.

Regarding the Gwarinpa property, Adeleke noted that it was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million and payment was made via bank transfer.

During cross-examination by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, the witness said he acted “strictly” on his chairman’s instructions and had no independent discussions or transactions with Shehu Bello.

He further confirmed that he was not present when  Bello signed the property documents.

When asked if he saw the defendant (Bello) throughout the transaction, Adeleke said: “Not at anytime in the course of this transaction”.

He was also asked if the name of the defendant appeared anywhere on the documents he said were with the EFCC. He, answered “No!”

The EFCC then called a second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), who was subpoenaed to provide financial records.

Abimbola presented and read out documents, including the Kogi State Government House statement of account (January 1, 2016 – January 31, 2024); Maselina Njoku’s statement of account (January 1 – December 31, 2022) and American International School account opening documents and statements (September 1 – September 30, 2020).

Following the witness testimonies, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7 for continuation of trial.