The Federal High Court in Abuja, adjourned the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to March 6 and 7, 2025.
The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), resumed on Monday with testimonies from two prosecution witnesses.
The first witness, Segun Adeleke, General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, provided evidence regarding two properties located in Maitama and Gwarinpa.
Adeleke confirmed that Bello’s name did not appear on any of the documents related to these properties and that he had never met the former governor.
Adeleke detailed a transaction involving a property at Number 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama, which was sold for ₦550 million.
He explained, “In 2020, while I was in the office, my chairman sent for me.
His name is Chief Dr. Fabian Nwora.
He introduced me to a young man named Shehu Bello.
Apparently, they had discussed purchasing a property, and my chairman told me that Shehu wanted to make payment.”
Adeleke further described how Shehu Bello paid for the property in U.S. dollars after confirming the exchange rate at a Bureau de Change.
He stated, “We agreed on ₦550 million for the property.
When Shehu returned, he came with U.S. dollars.
We had to confirm the exchange rate from a Bureau de Change, and the equivalent of ₦550 million was paid.”
Adeleke testified that he met Shehu Bello three times — during the introduction, the payment, and when legal documents were executed.
When questioned by defense counsel Joseph Daudu, Adeleke confirmed he did not see Yahaya Bello at any point during the transaction and that the former governor’s name was absent from all related documents.
The second prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa, testified under subpoena.
EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, explained that the subpoena was issued to secure several documents, including account statements.
Abimbola submitted account opening documents and statements, including those from the Kogi State Government House account covering January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024, as well as statements for Macelina Njoku and the American International School, Abuja.
All documents were admitted as evidence without objection.
The court has adjourned the case to March 6 and 7, 2025, for further hearings.
