A prosecution witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, on Friday narrated before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, how a property in Maitama, Abuja, was allegedly purchased for ₦950 million but paid for in United States dollars.
Abdullahi testified before Justice Maryanne Anineh in the ongoing trial of former governor.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, the witness said a friend contacted him in January 2022, over a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, and asked him to conduct due diligence on it.
“I picked a call from my friend who informed me that some agents introduced him to this property to sell and that I can conduct due diligence on it,” he told the court.
Asked who he interfaced with regarding the transaction, Abdullahi said: “Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The payment of the property was in naira, paid in dollars equivalent to ₦950 million.”
The witness further disclosed that he prepared and handed over the title documents to Ali Bello.
According to him, White Tree Nigeria Limited was listed as the assignee in the deed of assignment prepared between it and Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc.
“I was given a name White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee. I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee,” he said.
Abdullahi added that the instruction to use White Tree Nigeria Limited came from Ali Bello, while insisting that the entire payment for the property was made in dollars.
During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, the witness confirmed that he had earlier testified before the Federal High Court and stated that he received instructions from Shehu Bello.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the third defendant, Z. E. Abbas, the witness said he never met Abdulsalami Hudu.
Earlier, Pinheiro informed the court that the matter had been adjourned for ruling on pending applications and continuation of trial proceedings if time permitted.
He also revealed that the prosecution had served the third defendant with an application seeking suspension and stay of proceedings.
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However, Abbas argued that the application was not ripe for hearing because it was served on him late on Thursday and requested an adjournment until Tuesday.
Pinheiro opposed the request, insisting that the application mirrored those earlier filed by the first and second defendants and should be heard together to save time.
Justice Anineh subsequently, ruled that the third defendant could move his application on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution later withdrew an application dated May 6, 2026, after informing the court that it had already been argued.
With no objection from the defence team, the court granted the withdrawal request.
