Yahaya Bello’s name not on N550m FCT property, says witness
25 February 2025 |
3:05 am
The Federal High Court, Abuja, was yesterday, told that a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, did not participate in all the transactions leading to the purchase of N550 million property in Maitama, Abuja, by one Sheu Bello.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, was yesterday, told that a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, did not participate in all the transactions leading to the purchase of N550 million property in Maitama, Abuja, by one Sheu Bello.
The court was also informed that Bello’s name was never featured in all documents relating to the transactions, including the title deed.
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olusegun Joseph Adeleke, gave the evidence while testifying in the money laundering charges against the ex-governor.
Adeleke, who is the General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, was led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
He had narrated to Justice Emeka Nwite how the Chairman of EFAB Properties Limited, Fabian Nwora, invited him to the transactions by Shehu Bello on the purchase of the property located at No 1, Ikogosi Street in Maitama within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Giving an account of what transpired, he said sometime in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, introduced him to a young man called Shehu Bello and discussed the purchase of the property.
Adeleke recalled: “We discussed the purchase of the property in question. And he told me that the young man would be coming back to make payment for the property at an agreed price of N550 million.”
When asked if he had seen Shehu Bello since that day, he responded: “I saw him three times. The first time was for introduction, the second time for payment, and the third time was when he brought a legal document for the execution of the EFAB property.”
The EFCC lawyer then mentioned another property at 5th Avenue in Gwarinpa and told the witness to tell the court what he knew about it.
Responding, the witness clarified that the property was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million, and paid for through a bank transfer.
Asked if he remembered the transacting bank, Adeleke responded in the negative.
The EFCC witness explained that upon conclusion of the transactions, Shehu Bello made payment for the property, with the receipt and letter of allocation delivered to him.
He added that the said Shehu Bello altered the transactions when he came for a refund upon discovery that the house was under EFCC investigation.
Under cross-examination by lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, Joseph Bodunde Daudu (SAN), the witness admitted having transactions with Shehu Bello three times.
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