In the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, a second prosecution witness, Segun Adeleke, told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday that neither Bello nor his co-defendants made any payment for a controversial property linked to Efab Property Limited.
Bello is facing trial alongside two others—Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu—on charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During his testimony, Adeleke, a manager at Efab Property, confirmed he had no direct dealings with the defendants during the transaction process. When asked by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), whether any of the defendants appeared on the property documents, Adeleke said he did not know them and their names were not reflected in the paperwork.
This aligns with earlier testimony by the first prosecution witness, Fabian Nwora, Chairman of Efab Property, who also stated under oath that none of the three defendants made payments into the company’s account. He confirmed that while he knew Yahaya Bello personally, the former governor was not involved in the transaction in question.
Nwora had disclosed during a prior court session that the property, located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, was initially requested by one Shehu Bello, not the ex-governor. Nwora further explained that although he initiated negotiations, the transaction was concluded by Adeleke.
Adeleke added that a payment of N500 million was made for the property but later, Shehu Bello returned the documents, citing an EFCC investigation as his reason for backing out of the deal.
The EFCC prosecution team also presented questions regarding another property located in Gwarinpa, FCT, linked to one Nuhu Muhammed. Adeleke confirmed issuing documents to Muhammed following the purchase of a bungalow unit.
However, defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected to the tendering of the documents, claiming there was no proper evidential basis for them. His objection was overruled by the presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih.
During cross-examination, Adeleke admitted that he had testified in a similar capacity before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court. When asked about discrepancies in his testimony regarding how payment for the Gwarinpa property was made, Adeleke initially said it was in two tranches but later acknowledged giving conflicting statements and that he did not know the buyer, Nuhu Muhammed.
Another witness, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, appeared on subpoena and submitted the Kogi State Government House’s bank statement along with a Certificate of Identification.
The defence team stated they would respond to the documents at a later stage in the trial.
Justice Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025, for continuation.
What you should know
EFCC witnesses in the Yahaya Bello trial testified that neither the former governor nor his co-defendants made payments for the controversial Abuja property, reinforcing the claim that their names do not appear in transaction documents. The court adjourned further proceedings to October and November 2025.
