The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, took a dramatic turn on Monday, February 24, 2025, as the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, admitted crucial financial documents as evidence in the N80.2 billion money laundering case against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in its pursuit of justice, presented statements of account and an account opening package from American International School, Abuja, covering transactions from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These documents, labeled Exhibits 521-5277, with the statement of account marked as Exhibits 621-622, are expected to play a key role in the unfolding legal battle.
Bello faces 19-count charges, including criminal breach of trust and money laundering, violations of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), punishable under Section 15(3).
The EFCC’s first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, provided damning testimony. Under examination by EFCC lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adeleke detailed a real estate transaction involving House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, which was allegedly purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million. He confirmed that the payment was made via bank transfer, with the company issuing corresponding payment receipts and allocation letters.
Further revelations emerged as Adeleke disclosed that EFAB Properties received N550 million for another property transaction, following its usual documentation procedures. However, when questioned about the source of the N70 million transfer, he admitted he had no knowledge of its origin.
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Under cross-examination by defense counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Adeleke maintained that he merely acted on his Chairman’s instructions, without personal involvement in initiating the payments. He also confirmed that Shehu Bello purchased a property in Ikogosi, but he could not recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction. Crucially, Adeleke testified that while documents were signed and issued, the signed copies were never returned to EFAB Properties.
The trial took another turn as the EFCC’s second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), took the stand. Abimbola, stationed at UBA’s Area 3, Garki, Abuja branch, confirmed that the EFCC had served him with a subpoena, which was duly presented and admitted as Exhibit 1.
Further solidifying the prosecution’s case, the EFCC tendered the statement of account and account opening package for Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, spanning January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. These were admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.
Additionally, the prosecution reinforced its evidence by presenting financial records linked to American International School, Abuja. These records, covering transactions between September 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, were officially admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, with the statement of account marked as Exhibits 621-622.
