Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, along with 2 others, in the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud case to July 8, October 8 and 9, and November 12 and 13. Bello is being tried alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the offences violate Sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law and are punishable under Section 312.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, EFCC’s first witness, Fabian Nwora, chairman of EFAB Property, concluded his testimony. Nwora stated that while he opened negotiations on a Maitama property involved in the case, the transaction was concluded by his associate, Segun Adeleke, who is the EFCC’s second witness. Nwora earlier testified that the transaction involved a certain Shehu Bello, who approached his company in 2023 for a deal on the Ikogosi Street property in Abuja.
Adeleke told the court that ₦500 million was paid for the property and that Yahaya Bello later returned to cancel the transaction due to the ongoing EFCC investigation. During cross-examination, questions arose about documents issued for another property in Gwarinpa to a Nuhu Muhammed, which Adeleke confirmed belonged to EFAB. Although defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents, Justice Anenih overruled the objection and adjourned the matter for continued hearing.
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