The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated legal proceedings on Monday, February 24, in the Federal High Court in Abuja against former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Bello is being tried over an alleged money laundering scheme totaling ₦80.2 billion.
Represented by its legal team led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the EFCC presented two witnesses in support of the 19-count charge against the defendant.
The first witness, Mr. Segun Adeleke, General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, testified that he was aware of transactions involving a property at No 1, Ikogosi Crescent, Maitama, as well as another in Gwarinpa.
He explained that although his company sold the Maitama property to one Shehu Bello for the sum of ₦500 million, the former governor’s name did not appear in the title documents.
He added that his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, had introduced Shehu to him in 2020.
“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 ₦550 million,” Mr. Adeleke stated.
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He further testified that the Gwarinpa property was acquired by an individual named Nuhu Mohammed for ₦70 million, with payment effected through a bank transfer.
While being cross-examined by ex-governor Bello’s lawyer, Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, Mr. Adeleke confirmed that the defendant’s name did not appear on any title documents relating to the two properties.
“I did not set eyes on the defendant at any time and his name did not appear anywhere in the title documents,” he added.
The second witness, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, a Compliance Officer with United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), informed the court that her bank had been subpoenaed to produce documents, including the statement of account of the Kogi State Government House.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until March 6 to allow the second witness to complete her testimony.
The EFCC alleges that Bello used five proxies to acquire 13 premium properties in upscale areas of Abuja and Dubai, with the proceeds derived from criminal activities.
It further accused the former governor of attempting to conceal over ₦3 billion by transferring it to proxies and of wiring over $700,000 to a U.S. bank account in breach of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Additionally, the charges implicate Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, and four others—Dauda Suleiman, Shehu Bello, Rabiu Musa, and Abdulsalam Hudu, who is currently at large.
According to the EFCC, the defendant’s actions amount to a public breach of trust, violating Section 18(a) and (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and are punishable under Section 15 of the same Act.
Bello has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail pending the conclusion of his trial.