EFCC Witness: Yahaya Bello Had No Property Dealings With EFAB
The Federal Capital Territory High Court heard on Wednesday that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two co-defendants, Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, have no record of property purchases or transactions with EFAB Property Company. This was disclosed by Mr. Segun Adeleke, the General Manager of EFAB Property Limited, who appeared as the second prosecution witness (PW2) for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeleke stated under oath that EFAB has no records of any money payments or transactions involving the former governor and his co-defendants. He clarified this during the resumed hearing of the alleged money laundering case against Bello and his associates.
During cross-examination by Bello’s lawyer, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, Adeleke reiterated that he had no dealings with the three defendants regarding the property in question. He further confirmed that he did not recognize any of their names on transaction documents.
“This is the first time I am seeing His Excellency (Yahaya Bello) in person, although I have seen him before in print and electronic media but not in any transaction,” Adeleke emphasized.
His testimony aligns with that of the first prosecution witness (PW1), Fabian Nwora, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EFAB Property Limited. Nwora had previously confirmed to the court that none of the three defendants paid money into his company’s account. While acknowledging he knew the former governor, Nwora maintained that Bello’s name did not feature in the specific property transaction being referenced.
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Nwora had testified that negotiations for the property, located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, began with one Shehu Bello and were concluded by Segun Adeleke. He also revealed that he was invited by the EFCC on February 8, 2023, concerning a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property Limited, initiated when Shehu Bello approached him for the property.
Adeleke, during examination by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, recounted that in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, briefed him about the property that Shehu Bello was interested in. He confirmed the deal was finalized, and N500 million was paid for the said property. The witness added that Shehu Bello later returned to their office, with the agreement, to inform his chairman that he was no longer interested in the property due to an EFCC investigation.
The EFCC lawyer also inquired about documents issued to a Nuhu Muhammed concerning a property in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory. Adeleke confirmed these documents were issued to Nuhu Muhammed after he purchased one of the detached bungalows. Defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected to this, citing a “clear disconnect,” but the objection was overruled by the judge.
Under cross-examination, Adeleke admitted to having given similar evidence before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court. He confirmed he was brought into the transaction after it had commenced and did not initiate it.
Daudu challenged Adeleke on a seeming contradiction, stating that his previous testimony before Justice Emeka Nwite indicated funds for the Gwarinpa property were transferred at once, while he now claimed it was done in two tranches before Justice Maryann Anenih. Adeleke maintained it was in two tranches and that he had receipts, though he later admitted he did not know Nuhu Muhammed.
Another witness, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, who appeared on subpoena, tendered the statement of account of the Kogi State Government House along with its Certificate of Identification. The defense counsel indicated they would address this document later in the trial.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.
By PRNigeria
