The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned the hearing in the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two others to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented additional documents through its third witness as part of efforts to establish its case against Bello, Umar Shuaib Oricha, and Abdulsalam Hudu.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the second prosecution witness (PW2), Segun Adeleke, a manager with Efab Property Limited, told the court he had no personal dealings with the defendants and that their names did not appear on any of the documents related to the transactions under investigation.
“This is the first time I am seeing His Excellency (Yahaya Bello) in person. I’ve seen him in the media but never had any transaction with him,” Adeleke said during cross-examination.
Earlier in the trial, the first prosecution witness (PW1), Fabian Nwora, CEO of Efab Property Limited, also confirmed that no payments were made by any of the three defendants to his company. He explained that while he began negotiations for a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, Abuja, the transaction was later handled by Adeleke.
Nwora testified in a previous session that he was invited by the EFCC in February 2023 regarding a transaction initiated by a certain Shehu Bello, who expressed interest in purchasing the property.
Adeleke corroborated Nwora’s account, telling the court that Shehu Bello showed interest in the property in 2020 and paid N500 million before later withdrawing from the deal due to the EFCC’s investigation.
“Mr. Shehu returned with the agreement and informed my chairman that he was no longer interested in the property,” Adeleke stated.
The prosecution also questioned Adeleke about documents issued to a Nuhu Muhammed regarding a property in Gwarinpa. He confirmed the documents were issued after Muhammed purchased a unit of the bungalows.
At that point, defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected, arguing that there was no proper foundation for the documents. However, the court overruled the objection.
Under cross-examination, Adeleke admitted he was not involved at the start of the transaction and confirmed he had previously testified in a similar case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court. He initially claimed the funds for the Gwarinpa property were paid in tranches but later acknowledged contradicting earlier testimony where he said it was a lump-sum payment. He also admitted he did not know Nuhu Muhammed personally.
Also testifying under subpoena, Mrs. Williams Abimbola submitted the Kogi State Government House statement of account and a Certificate of Identification to the court. Defence lawyers noted they would respond to the document in due course.
Justice Anenih adjourned further hearing to October and November for continuation of trial.
