By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to March 6 and 7, 2025. The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involves allegations of money laundering.
The adjournment followed testimony from two prosecution witnesses, one of whom appeared under subpoena.
Witness Testimonies
The first witness, Segun Adelakun, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified that Bello’s name did not appear on any documents related to two properties under investigation—one at 1 Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another in Gwarinpa.
Adelakun recounted that in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to a man named Shehu Bello, with whom he discussed the property transaction. He confirmed meeting Shehu Bello three times: first for an introduction, then for payment, and finally for signing legal documents.
Regarding another property at 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa, the witness stated that it was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for ₦70 million via bank transfer but could not recall which bank was used.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, questioned Adelakun on whether his actions were based solely on instructions from his chairman, to which he affirmed. He also confirmed that he never directly engaged in discussions with Shehu Bello and had never seen the defendant, Yahaya Bello, throughout the transaction. When asked whether Bello’s name appeared on any transaction documents, the witness stated that the documents were with the EFCC but confirmed that the former governor’s name was not on them.
Testimony of UBA Compliance Officer
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), appeared under subpoena. She presented financial records as requested by the court, which were admitted as evidence.
The documents included:
The statement of account for Kogi State Government House from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024.
The statement of account for Maselina Njoku from January 1 to December 31, 2022.
The account opening documents and statements of American International School for September 2020.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case for further proceedings in March 2025.Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial to March 2025
By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to March 6 and 7, 2025. The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involves allegations of money laundering.
The adjournment followed testimony from two prosecution witnesses, one of whom appeared under subpoena.
Witness Testimonies
The first witness, Segun Adelakun, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified that Bello’s name did not appear on any documents related to two properties under investigation—one at 1 Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another in Gwarinpa.
Adelakun recounted that in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to a man named Shehu Bello, with whom he discussed the property transaction. He confirmed meeting Shehu Bello three times: first for an introduction, then for payment, and finally for signing legal documents.
Regarding another property at 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa, the witness stated that it was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for ₦70 million via bank transfer but could not recall which bank was used.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, questioned Adelakun on whether his actions were based solely on instructions from his chairman, to which he affirmed. He also confirmed that he never directly engaged in discussions with Shehu Bello and had never seen the defendant, Yahaya Bello, throughout the transaction. When asked whether Bello’s name appeared on any transaction documents, the witness stated that the documents were with the EFCC but confirmed that the former governor’s name was not on them.
Testimony of UBA Compliance Officer
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), appeared under subpoena. She presented financial records as requested by the court, which were admitted as evidence.
The documents included:
The statement of account for Kogi State Government House from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024.
The statement of account for Maselina Njoku from January 1 to December 31, 2022.
The account opening documents and statements of American International School for September 2020.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case for further proceedings in March 2025.
