The Federal High Court in Abuja has 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.
Segun Adeleke, General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, was the first witness to testify. He spoke about properties in Maitama and Gwarinpa, stating that Bello’s name did not appear on any documents and that he had never met the former governor.
“My Lord, in 2020, while I was in the office, my chairman sent for me… 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 met Shehu Bello three times during the transaction but never met Yahaya Bello.
When questioned about another property in Gwarinpa, Adeleke stated, “House Twelve, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarinpa, was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for seventy million. My Lord, it was a one-off payment via bank transfer to our account.”
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, asked Adeleke if he personally discussed the transactions with Shehu Bello, to which he replied, “Yes.” However, Adeleke confirmed that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear on any documents submitted to the EFCC.
The second prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, testified under subpoena. He submitted account opening documents and statements, including the Kogi State Government House account, which were admitted as evidence without objection.
The court adjourned the case to March 6 and 7, 2025, for further hearing.
