Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s ongoing money laundering trial resumed on Wednesday with a prosecution witness telling the Federal High Court in Abuja that a Maitama property was purchased for ₦550 million using United States dollar cash.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello over an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering case before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Testifying as Prosecution Witness 14, Shehu Bello, a real estate agent and commodity trader, told the court that the property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama, Abuja, was bought on behalf of his client, Dr. Faruk Bello.
“We agreed ₦550 million, but it was paid in U.S. dollars in cash. I was also paid my commission in cash,” the witness said.
He further disclosed that he facilitated the purchase of another property at Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, for ₦105 million, adding that payment for the second property was made through bank transfer.
The witness also told the court he had prior business dealings with Ali Bello, whom he described as a friend.
“Ali Bello is my friend. We have done some businesses together in the past, commodity and property business,” he said.
According to him, he sold his personal property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, to Ali Bello for ₦68 million after purchasing it earlier for ₦63 million.
He also stated that he helped source a buyer for another Guzape property on behalf of Ali Bello.
During proceedings, the prosecution attempted to tender the witness’s extra-judicial statement made to the EFCC, but defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, objected, arguing that it was a cautionary statement and inadmissible.
To avoid delays, prosecution counsel Olukayode Enitan, SAN, withdrew the document and continued with the case.
Earlier, Prosecution Witness 13, Baba Isa Usman Baffa, an estate surveyor and facility manager, testified about a property transaction involving Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, known as Cityscape Shariff Plaza.
Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased a shop in the plaza after making an initial ₦40 million deposit before paying the ₦26 million balance and agency fees.
“He was issued a receipt and allocated Shop B13,” the witness said.
Under cross-examination, Baffa confirmed that the payment was made into the account of Shariff Plaza Management and Facility Company and that the buyer took possession of the property.
Another witness, PW12, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, was also cross-examined over an earlier testimony concerning a $300,000 transaction allegedly linked to school fees payments to the American International School Abuja.
Asked whether he still stood by his earlier testimony, Abdullahi responded that the answer required explanation.
Lead prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, objected to the defence’s insistence on a direct yes-or-no answer, arguing that the witness should be allowed to explain himself.
“He cannot be confined. There’s no law that compels him to answer a question. A witness can keep mute. Muteness is an answer,” Pinheiro said.
The witness later said he could not fully remember the details because “it has been a long time.”
He also confirmed that E-traders was his company and denied claims that he feared prosecution for operating an unlicensed Bureau de Change business.
“I am a licensed Bureau de Change operator,” he told the court.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until May 7, 2026, for continuation of trial.
