Witnesses in the trial of ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have testified that no payments were made by the defendants into the company accounts involved in a disputed real estate transaction.
Bello, along with co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing 16 charges brought by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the EFCC, relating to allegations of money laundering and breach of trust totalling over ₦110 billion.
Testifying before Justice Maryann Anenih at the Abuja High Court, Fabian Nwora, chairman of Efab Property Ltd, told the court that the transaction involving a property at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, was not linked directly to Bello or his co-accused.
“I was approached by Shehu Bello, not the former governor. Yahaya Bello’s name did not feature in the deal,” Nwora said, adding that negotiations were later handled by his colleague, Segun Adeleke.
Adeleke, who appeared as the EFCC’s second witness, confirmed that a payment of ₦500 million had been made for the property in question, but the buyer subsequently withdrew from the agreement after learning the transaction was under EFCC investigation.
“He came back and said he was no longer interested because of the probe. Our chairman said he would take it up with our legal team,” Adeleke added.
A separate line of questioning from EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) involved documents issued to one Nuhu Mohammed for a property in Gwarinpa. Adeleke confirmed the documents were legitimate, relating to a different housing unit sold by the company.
Defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected, arguing the documents were not sufficiently linked to the witness’s testimony. However, the judge overruled the objection.
Also testifying, Mrs Abimbola Williams presented official bank records of the Kogi Government House, alongside verification documents. The defence indicated they would challenge the documents as the trial progresses.
Justice Anenih adjourned the proceedings to 8 July for the hearing of applications and set 8 October 2025 for the continuation of the trial.
