Segun Joseph Adeleke, EFAB Properties Limited’s general manager, made this statement at Abuja’s Federal High Court on Monday.

Adeleke confirmed that the former governor’s name was not listed on the two properties examined during proceedings.

He added that he never met Bello throughout the entire transaction process involving the properties in question.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated the case, now adjourned to March 6 and 7, 2025.

Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called two witnesses, including one appearing under subpoena for testimony.

Adeleke discussed two properties—one on Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another located on 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa.

He explained that, in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to Shehu Bello regarding a property purchase.

“Shehu Bello discussed buying the property, agreeing to pay N550 million,” Adeleke informed the court during his testimony.

Adeleke confirmed meeting Shehu Bello three times: once for introduction, then for payment, and finally for documentation.

Regarding the Gwarinpa property, Adeleke said Nuhu Mohammed purchased it for N70 million via a bank transfer.

However, Adeleke could not recall the specific bank used to complete the N70 million payment transaction.

Under cross-examination, defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, asked if Adeleke followed only his chairman’s instructions.

“Yes,” Adeleke affirmed, adding that he never initiated independent discussions with Shehu Bello during the transactions.

He also clarified that he did not witness Shehu Bello signing any property documents during their meetings.

“Did you see the defendant at any time during this transaction?” Daudu asked, to which Adeleke replied, “No.”

The defense further inquired if Bello’s name appeared on any property documents, and Adeleke answered, “No.”

The prosecution then presented Williams Abimbola, UBA’s compliance officer, as the second witness in the trial.

Abimbola submitted a subpoena, which Justice Emeka Nwite admitted into evidence and labeled “Exhibit 1.”

She read UBA’s financial records, including Kogi State Government House’s accounts from January 2016 to January 2024.

Other financial statements included Maselina Njoku’s 2022 records and American International School’s September 2020 account transactions.

Following the testimonies, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned proceedings to March 6 and 7, 2025, for continuation.

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Bello, former governor of Kogi State, faces a 19-count charge involving criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The charges total N80.2 billion, violating Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

Segun Joseph Abeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Abeleke told the EFCC he manages real estate and turnkey projects in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, and Abuja.

Abeleke revealed that in 2020, his chairman, Chief Dr. Fabian Nwora, introduced him to Shehu Bello concerning the property in question.

Details later…

The post Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: EFCC Presents First Witness Against Yahaya Bello appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited, revealed details of a property deal involving a N550 million property at No 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, Abuja. EFCC alleges that Bello used Kogi State funds to purchase the property.

Fabian Nworah, during his testimony, outlined the circumstances surrounding the sale of the property, which was initially sold to Shehu Bello but listed under the name Bello Ohiani. Nworah confirmed that in 2023, following an EFCC investigation, Shehu Bello returned to Efab Properties and demanded a refund of the N550 million, which was subsequently refunded in two instalments to an EFCC-designated account.

While Nworah did not directly mention the former governor, the EFCC has charged Bello, along with two others, for allegedly diverting significant funds from Kogi State while he served as governor.

During the proceedings, tension mounted between the prosecution and defence over the availability of crucial documents. Defence lawyer Joseph Daudu, SAN, accused the EFCC of withholding important sworn statements, which he argued were vital for the defence’s case. The defence called for the release of statements and forensic reports related to digital evidence presented by the EFCC.

EFCC prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, rejected these claims, asserting that all necessary documents had been served on the defence by November 27. Pinheiro also accused the defence of trying to delay the trial through procedural objections.

Despite the dispute over documents, trial judge Maryanne Anenih allowed one witness, Nworah, to testify. After hearing the witness, the proceedings were postponed, with the court scheduling additional hearings for April 3, April 24, and May 6, 2025.

The EFCC has charged former Governor Bello and his co-defendants with 16 counts related to the alleged embezzlement of Kogi State funds, including accusations of buying properties in Abuja and Dubai. One of the key allegations is that Bello diverted N100 million in 2021 from the state treasury to acquire property at 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja.

The post Shocking as Estate Developer Testifies in N110 Billion EFCC Fraud Trial Against Yahaya Bello appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

This was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza.

Duza said, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).”

“The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.”

The conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.

The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The former governor, along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

Justice Anenih had rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants.

Bello’s fresh application was approved on Thursday, leading to his release.

The post Yahaya Bello released after meeting bail conditions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties.

Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, stated that bail is granted at the court’s discretion while delivering the ruling.

He said, “I have listened to the application from both counsels. First off, bail is at the discretion of the court, whether the bail is opposed or supported. Ordinarily, based on the antecedents of this case, particularly the conduct exhibited by the defendant, I would have reconsidered the application made by the learned senior counsel for the defendant. However, based on the detour exhibited by the learned senior counsel for the defendant, J.B. Daudu (SAN), which was reciprocated by the learned senior counsel for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), I am inclined to depart from our earlier position on this matter.

“In view of the foregoing, I am prepared to grant the application made by both counsel. I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the following terms: One—bail is granted to the defendant in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties in the like sum. The two sureties shall own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court, Abuja.

“The two sureties shall swear to an affidavit of means, and the documents of the property shall be verified by the chief deputy registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of this honourable court. The defendant and the sureties shall each deposit two recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall be released upon the perfection of the bail terms. The case is adjourned to February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, for trial.”

Bello faces a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relating to money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totalling ₦80.2 billion.

Upon the resumed hearing, the EFCC counsel, Pinheiro, informed the court of the prosecution’s intention to withdraw a previous application for an abridgement of the arraignment date. He stated that the application had been overtaken by events. The defendant’s counsel, led by Daudu, did not object, and Justice Nwite accordingly granted the request, striking the application out.

Following this, the 19 counts were read to Bello, to which he pleaded not guilty.

After taking his plea, the defendant’s lawyer apologised for the earlier actions and requested bail pending the hearing and determination of the charges.

He assured the court that his client would attend all trial dates, stating that Bello, a two-term governor who had travelled abroad only twice, posed no flight risk.

He said, “My Lord, I apologise for any impression that may have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship for his arraignment. What he did, which is not uncommon in law, was to direct his counsel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which took them to the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and back here.

“My Lord, it was not willful disrespect. He acted with the belief that he was defending himself as best as possible. He holds this court in high esteem, and we all do. This episode could have been avoided, but it has passed, and things are clearer now. We mean no harm to this court.

“Secondly, my Lord, and I say this with every sense of responsibility, having regard to the positions I have held in this profession, the governor, as a two-term governor of Kogi State, who travelled abroad only twice during his eight years, will appear on all trial days. I give my word that he will not jump bail.”

Pinheiro, on his part, told the court that he would not object to the bail request, despite having earlier filed a counter.

He stated, “I have great respect for my learned counsel, who was a past president of the NBA. I confirm we have been discussing how to ease the pressure on your lordship.
My Lord, we are prosecutors, not persecutors, and the EFCC is a prosecutorial commission, not a prosecutorial commission.

“We accept the assurances of the eminent counsel that the defendant will be available for trial, subject to your lordship’s terms.”

Recall that Bello is also facing a separate ₦110.4 billion charge before Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Justice Anenih had earlier ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application after rejecting the application for procedural irregularities in its filing.

Meanwhile, Justice Nwite has also ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje prison pending the perfection of the bail terms granted.

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The American International School Abuja agreed to refund $760,910.84 paid for children’s tuition in advance by the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, as revealed in a letter sent by the school to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In December 2023, the EFCC had seized $760,910.84 from the money that Bello paid to American International School, Abuja, as prepaid school fees for four children until graduation, over alleged money laundering.

The anti-graft agency had contacted the school requesting a refund of the money believed to have been proceeds of corruption.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Obtains Warrant To Arrest Ex-Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello

In a reply letter from the school marked as exhibit H, it requested the EFCC to furnish it with an official written request to the effect and to also forward the commission’s bank details for a refund.

The reply letter read in part, “Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously dictated as part of your alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.

“Since the 7th September 2021 to date $845,852.84 in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our bank account.

“We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the state, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84.”

The EFCC had asked the school to refund the $845,000 paid by Bello for his children’s tuition.

Documents obtained last December showed that Governor Bello through his nephew, Mr Ali Bello had entered an agreement with the school to pay tuition for his four children up to graduation in advance to secure their future.

READ ALSO; EFCC Set to Arraign Godwin Emefiele in Lagos Court

The agreement was signed and executed on August 23, 2021. Following the execution of the agreement, a total of $845.852.84 was paid into the school account in varied instalments.

However, the anti-corruption agency as part of its oversight function, subsequently invited the school authorities for a series of interviews connected with the funds through a letter dated September 7, 2023, after about one year.

Sources told that during the interrogation of officials of the school, the EFCC noted that the advanced school fees were proceeds of crime. It said that the school was being used as an unwitting money laundering tool and demanded that it should refund the monies to the agency through a dedicated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“During the interviews, the EFCC further informed the school authorities that the commission was empowered to seize the total funds or any portion thereof.

“Following a review of the academic history of Governor Bello’s children with the school, the EFCC accepted that fees paid in relation to ongoing school sessions at the time did not amount to proceeds of crime and exempted the sum of $84.942.00.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Obtains Warrant To Arrest Ex-Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello

“Subsequently, the commission made a demand for transfer of the of $760.910.84, representing advance tuition payment to its nominated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria,” documents obtained show.

Following the development, the school management wrote a letter dated October 27, 2022, to the EFCC, requesting an official written demand for the refund of the monies, but the anti-graft agency provided an account to which the monies should be paid.

The school first paid $1,000 and later paid the remaining $759,91084 to the account.

Meanwhile, Ali Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC over a N3 billion fraud.

Ali Bello was arraigned in February alongside others at the Federal High Court on 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.

The other co-defendants are Abba Adauda, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. Another defendant, Rashida Bello, is at large.

Also in December 2023, Ali Bello sued the American International School over an alleged breach of contractual Agreement for prepaid school fees until graduation duly executed in 2021.

It was reported that he was seeking among others N100 million in damages against the school authorities for refunding the sum of $760,910.84 paid to the school account towards the education of Governor Bello’s children to a third party, EFCC, without any court order or his consent.

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