A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned the resumed trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two co-accused—including Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu—for alleged money laundering.
Justice Maryanne Anenih has set new hearing dates for October 8–9 and November 12–13, 2025, pending further proceedings.
During Wednesday’s session, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its third witness, who submitted several bundles of documents to support its case.
PW2, Segun Adeleke, a manager at Efab Property Limited, testified that neither he nor the firm had engaged in any dealings with the accused concerning the property at the center of the prosecution’s case. He emphatically stated:
“This is the first time I am seeing His Excellency (Yahaya Bello) in person… although I have seen him before in print and electronic media but not in any transaction.”
His testimony was echoed by PW1, Fabian Nwora, the company’s CEO, who also confirmed that none of the defendants paid into Efab’s account during the purported transaction. Nwora noted that while he initially handled negotiations, it was Adeleke who finalized the deal.
The court was told that the property of interest—located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama—garnered interest in 2020, with N500 million reportedly paid. However, the deal allegedly fell through when EFCC investigations emerged, prompting the buyer to withdraw.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, PW2 acknowledged inconsistencies in his testimony regarding the payment structure—now asserting the funds were sent in two tranches—and confirmed these payments were supported by receipts, although he could not verify the identity of a recipient named Nuhu Muhammed.
Another subpoenaed witness, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, tendered the Kogi State Government House’s statement of account along with a Certificate of Identification, after which Justice Anenih adjourned the case to the new dates.
The trial’s timeline now extends into late 2025, as the court delves deeper into allegations by the EFCC that Bello and his associates laundered state funds. With the defense raising procedural and evidential inconsistencies, the case is poised to unfold over several more hearings.
