A prosecution witness on Tuesday told the FCT High Court in Abuja how N550 million, converted to United States dollars, was paid in cash for a property the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has linked to the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC’s 17th prosecution witness, Shehu Bello, testified that the property, located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja, “was bought by Farouk Bello from Efab Estate. It was paid in USD in cash. I was paid a commission.”
Mr. Shehu, an estate agent and commodity trader, did not disclose the exact commission he received, nor did he clarify Farouk’s relationship with the former governor. The former governor emerged last month as the Kogi Central senatorial candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the EFCC has listed the Maitama property as one of several assets allegedly acquired by the former governor using N110 billion diverted from the Kogi State treasury during his administration.
In September 2024, the EFCC arraigned Mr. Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Details of Property Transactions
Mr. Shehu, whose name has featured in previous testimonies, told the court that he managed various property acquisitions for Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew and current Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Kayode Enitan, SAN, the witness detailed the purchase of six properties, several of which are cited in the EFCC’s charges against the defendants.
According to the witness, he acquired a property for Ali Bello at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, for N48 million. This transaction is listed in Count 6 of the indictment.
He also testified to selling another property at Plot 31, Guzape, on Ali’s behalf for N100 million, which Ali had initially purchased from a dealer identified as “Alhaji Jimeta.”
Furthermore, Mr. Shehu stated that Farouk Bello purchased a property at Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja, for N105 million from Mercelina Njoku. This transaction forms the basis of Count 7.
Regarding a property at Plot 1981, Dallas Hill, Maitama, the witness clarified that while he was not directly involved in the purchase, he introduced Ali to the construction firm, Metro Dec Construction Limited.
“I made payments to the construction company on his behalf,” the witness said, detailing payments of N5.5 million, N9.8 million, N8 million, and $6,000.
The witness also testified that Ali requested his assistance in securing land to construct a shopping plaza. “I got that property at Durban Street for N650 million from SFC Nigeria Limited; the money was transferred,” he said. The property, located at No. 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 (also known as No. 2 Durban Street), is linked to Count 10 of the charges.
Following the conclusion of Mr. Shehu’s testimony, defense counsel Paul Daudu, SAN, requested an adjournment. Although prosecution counsel Mr. Enitan opposed the request on the grounds that no specific reason was provided, the presiding judge granted the adjournment to allow the court to clear other matters. The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.
Acquisition of Shopping Plaza
Earlier in the proceedings, the 16th prosecution witness, Baba-Isah Baffa, testified regarding the purchase of a commercial shop at Sherif Plaza.
Mr. Baffa told the court that Ali Bello had expressed interest in purchasing the shop, which was priced at N66 million. He explained that Ali completed the transaction in two tranches of N40 million and N26 million, after which he was issued an allocation letter and a receipt.
Under cross-examination, Mr. Baffa stated that he did not know any of the defendants personally and that they were not directly involved in the transaction. He added that he only knew the former governor as a public figure.
It remains unclear how the plaza transaction connects to the current charges against the defendants, though prosecutors are expected to clarify its relevance as the trial progresses.
