Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to March 6 and 7, 2025, following the continuation of proceedings.
The court adjourned after the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called two witnesses, one of whom appeared on subpoena.
The first witness, Segun Adelakun, the General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified that former Governor Bello’s name did not appear on any of two properties—one located at 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another in Gwarinpa.
Adelakun recounted an encounter in 2020, where he was introduced by his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, to a man named Shehu Bello, who discussed the purchase of the properties. He stated he had seen Shehu Bello on three occasions: first for the introduction, second for payment, and third when Shehu Bello brought a legal document for the execution of the EFAB property.
The EFCC lawyer then inquired about a third property located on 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa. Adelakun confirmed that the property had been purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million, paid via bank transfer, though he could not recall the specific bank used for the transaction.
During cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, asked if Adelakun acted solely on the instructions of his chairman, to which he affirmed. Daudu also questioned whether he had initiated any discussions with Shehu Bello independently, to which Adelakun again answered, “yes.”
When asked if Shehu Bello had signed the documents in his presence, Adelakun stated he had not. He also confirmed that he never saw the defendant during the transaction, nor did he see Bello’s name on any of the documents, which are now in the possession of the EFCC.
The prosecution then introduced a second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA), who appeared under subpoena. The defendant’s counsel raised an objection, citing the surprise nature of the witness’s appearance, but affirmed no intention to delay the trial.
Abimbola tendered the subpoenaed documents, including Kogi State Government House account statements from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024, and account statements of Maselina Njoku for the year 2022. Additionally, she presented the account opening packages and statements for American International School from September 1 to September 30, 2020, all of which were admitted as evidence.
Justice Emeka Nwite then adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for further proceedings.
