The fourth prosecution witness, (PW14), Shehu Bello, in the ongoing trial of former Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District in Abuja, was purchased for N550 million and paid for in United States dollars cash .
The former governor is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ion an alleged money laundering to a tune of N80.2 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, Bello, a real estate agent and commodity trader, said the transaction was carried out on behalf of his client, Dr. Faruk Bello.
“We agreed N550 million, but it was paid in U.S. dollars in cash. I was also paid my commission in cash,” the witness told the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.
The witness further disclosed that he facilitated the purchase of another property for the same client at Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, for N105 million, which was paid via bank transfer to the seller.
Bello also told the court that he had previous business dealings with Ali Bello, describing him as a friend, whom, he had done some commodity and property businesses with in the past.
He revealed that he sold his personal property located on Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, to Ali Bello for N68 million, having earlier purchased it for N63 million and added that, he assisted in sourcing a buyer for another property in Guzape on behalf of Ali Bello.
While the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statement of the witness made to the EFCC, the defence counsel Joseph Daudu SAN, objected, describing it as a cautionary statement and therefore inadmissible.
In a bid to avoid delay in proceedings, the prosecution withdrew the document and proceeded.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution had called PW13, Baba Isa Usman Baffa, an estate surveyor and facility manager, who testified on a property transaction on Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, also known as Cityscape Shariff Plaza.
Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased a shop in the plaza, adding that, he paid an initial deposit of N40 million and later paid the balance of N26 million, including agency fees, a receipt was issued to him, and he was allocated Shop B13.
The witness added that the payment was made into the account of Shariff Plaza Management and Facility Company and confirmed under cross-examination that the buyer took possession of the property.
Also testifying earlier was PW12, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, who was cross-examined on his previous testimony before another court regarding a $300,000 transaction allegedly conducted for school fees payment to the American International School.
When asked whether he still stood by the earlier testimony, the witness said: “My Lord, the answer is a little more than yes or no. When I explain, I will then answer.”
The prosecution, through its lead Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, objected to the defence’s insistence on a direct answer, arguing that the witness should be allowed to explain, noting that, “He cannot be confined, there’s no law that compels him to answer a question. A witness can keep mute. Muteness is an answer”.
The witness told the court that, he could not fully recall the details, as “it has been a long time” and however, confirmed that E-traders was his company and denied any suggestion that he feared being charged by the EFCC for operating an unlicensed Bureau de Change.
“I am a licensed Bureau de Change operator “, he told the court before he was discharged.
The Court adjourned further trial in the matter till tomorrow, May 7, 2026.
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