Metro

EFCC vs Yahaya Bello: Court adjourns trial, first witness testifies

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has adjourned the trial in the alleged money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to April 3, 2025, after the first witness testified on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

Justice Maryann Anenih decided to continue the hearing after Fabian Nworah, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited, took the stand. However, only one witness was heard that day, despite the prosecution’s request to call five witnesses, as the judge had other matters to attend to. The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday, January 30, 2025, as previously scheduled.

During the proceedings, Yahaya Bello’s defense team raised concerns about the prosecution not providing all necessary documents. Counsel for the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, pointed out that they had not received the second defendant’s statements on oath, which hindered their ability to prepare an adequate defense.

The prosecution argued that the defense was attempting to delay the trial and emphasized that the documents provided in the proof of evidence were sufficient.

After some legal back-and-forth, the prosecution proceeded with calling its first witness, Fabian Nworah. Nworah testified about a property transaction involving Shehu Bello and EFAB Property. He explained that the property, located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, had been sold to Shehu Bello, but the sale agreement bore the name Dr. Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

In 2023, Nworah explained, Shehu Bello informed EFAB Property that the property was under investigation by the EFCC and demanded a refund of the N550 million paid for it. EFAB Property complied, transferring the full amount to an EFCC-designated account in two batches.

Nworah stated that he had not had any contact with either Shehu Bello or Dr. Bello Ohiani until December 2024, when the EFCC summoned them to court to testify in relation to the transaction.

After hearing the witness, the court adjourned the case to April 3, 2025, with further hearings scheduled for April 24 and May 6, 2025.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button