The Second Prosecution Witness, Segun Adeleke, in the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has told the Federal Capital Territory High court, that the ex-governor and his co-defendants never paid for a property at Efab company.
The two other defendants are Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
During the day’s proceedings, Adeleke added that he had no dealings with the three defendants throughout the transactions on the property.
When asked to also confirm if the names of the defendants appeared on any of the transaction documents, the witness, who is a manager at Efab Property Limited, said he did not know any of the three defendants.
The First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Fabian Nwora, had also earlier confirmed to the court that none of the three defendants in the case paid money into the account of his company, Efab Property Limited.
Nwora said he knows the former governor, but maintained that his name did not feature in the transaction being referred to.
He said he opened negotiations on the said property but that the negotiations were concluded by Segun Adeleke, who is the EFCC’s second witness (PW2).
Nwora had at a previous hearing testified that he was invited to the EFCC on February 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property on a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, noting that it was the said Shehu who approached him for the property.
The PW2, Adeleke, while being examined by the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), reiterated that, in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, gave him the brief of the property, which Shehu Bello showed interest in.
He said the deal was concluded, and N500 million was paid for the said property.
When the prosecution lawyer asked what happened afterwards, the witness said Shehu Bello returned to their office, with the agreement, to tell his chairman that he was no longer interested in the property as a result of the EFCC investigation.
The EFCC lawyer also asked about some documents issued to one Nuhu Muhammed with respect to a property in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The witness confirmed that the documents were issued to the said Nuhu Muhammed after he purchased one of the units of the detached bungalows.
At that point, the Counsel to the Defence, Joseph Daudu (SAN), objected, saying there was a clear disconnect between the documents sought to be tendered and the foundation laid by the witness himself.
The Prosecution, however, said the objection was misconceived, and it was subsequently overruled by the Judge.
Responding, while being cross-examined by the Defence Counsel, the witness confirmed that he had testified to similar evidence at the Federal High Court before Justice Emeka Nwite.
He admitted that he was brought into the transaction after the process had commenced, that he did not initiate it.
Daudu, SAN, told the witness that while giving evidence before Justice Nwite, he had said that funds for the said property at Gwarinpa were transferred at once.
He added that he had now contradicted himself before Justice Anenih by saying it was done in two tranches.
The witness said it was in two tranches and that he had receipts, but admitted later that he did not know Nuhu Muhammed.
Another witness, on subpoena, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, tendered the statement of account of Kogi State Government House, along with the Certificate of Identification.
The defence counsels said they would speak to the document appropriately in the course of the trial.
After listening to both parties, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
Source; Channels News
