The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud continued on Monday, February 24, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its first round of witnesses and tendered key financial documents as evidence against the defendant.
The court admitted into evidence the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering transactions from September 1 to September 30, 2020.
These documents were marked as Exhibits 521-5277, while the specific statement of account was admitted as Exhibits 621-622. After admitting exhibits and witness testimonies, the court adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The prosecution’s first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, the General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified under examination by EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
Adeleke confirmed that a property located at House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, was purchased for N70 million by one Nuhu Mohammed through a bank transfer. He further disclosed that EFAB Properties received N550 million for another transaction, adhering to standard procedures, including approval from the company’s Chairman.
However, he admitted under cross-examination by defense counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he could not identify the source of the N70 million transfer.
Additionally, he clarified that while Shehu Bello purchased one of the properties, he could not recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction.
When questioned on whether Yahaya Bello’s name appeared on any title documents or if he had any direct dealings with him, Adeleke stated that he never saw or interacted with the former governor in the course of these transactions.
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) at Area 3, Garki, Abuja, testified about his compliance duties related to financial transactions.
He confirmed receiving a subpoena from the EFCC and presented a copy in court, which was admitted as Exhibit 1 without objection from the defense.
The EFCC also tendered the statement of account and account opening package for Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, covering transactions from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. These documents were admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, appeared in court on Monday as the trial court prepared to hear the fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bello faces 19-count fraud charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama. He was granted bail set at N500 million with two sureties in the same amount.
The former governor is facing a separate 16-count fraud charge at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
He is currently out on bail in that case as well, granted by Justice Maryann Anenih, who set the bail at N500 million with three sureties in like sum. Yahaya Bello has been embroiled in legal challenges concerning allegations of corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure.