Yahaya Bello’s name not on property documents, EFCC witness tells court

A witness in the ongoing money laundering trial against Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State governor, has testified that his name does not appear on any of the property documents under scrutiny.

Testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, Segun Joseph Adeleke, general manager of Efab Properties Limited, stated, “The name of the former governor did not reflect on any of the two properties being examined on Monday, and I did not sight him throughout the transactions.”

The case, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was adjourned to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called two witnesses, including one on subpoena.

Adeleke was questioned about properties located at 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another in Gwarinpa. He testified that he was introduced in 2020 to a certain Shehu Bello by his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, regarding the purchase of one of the properties.

“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,” Adeleke said.

He confirmed seeing Shehu Bello three times, first for introduction, second for payment, and third for document execution.

Regarding another property on 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Adeleke testified that it was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million via bank transfer. However, he could not recall the bank used for the payment.

Under cross-examination, the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, asked Adeleke whether his actions were based solely on his chairman’s instructions, to which he affirmed, “Yes.” He also confirmed that he never personally initiated discussions with Shehu Bello and that he did not witness him signing any documents.

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“Throughout this transaction, did you set eye on the defendant?” Daudu, SAN, asked.

“Not at any time in the course of this transaction,” Adeleke responded.

The defense counsel further inquired if Yahaya Bello’s name appeared on any documents, and Adeleke replied, “No!”

The prosecution then introduced its second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA). She presented a subpoena, which was admitted into evidence as “Exhibit 1.”

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Abimbola read out financial records requested by the subpoena, including the statement of account of the Kogi State Government House from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. Other records included the financial statements of Maselina Njoku for 2022 and American International School’s accounts from September 1 to September 30, 2020.

Following the witness testimonies, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to March 6 and 7, 2025, for further trial proceedings.