A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in an alleged N80.2 billion fraud case to April 3, 2025, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission commenced its witness testimony.
Bello is facing 19 charges, including allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the EFCC presented its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer and chairman of Efab Properties Nigeria Limited.
Nwora informed the court that his company sold a property in Maitama, Abuja, for N550 million in 2020 to an individual named Shehu Bello. However, he later realized that the name on the sale agreement was recorded as Dr. Bello Ohianyi.
According to Nwora, Shehu Bello returned to Efab Properties in 2023, stating that the property was under EFCC investigation and requested a refund.
Acting on the EFCC’s directive, the company refunded the N550 million in two instalments—N400 million initially, followed by N150 million.
Justice Maryanne Anenih admitted the sale agreement and deed of assignment as evidence and scheduled further hearings for April 3, April 24, and May 6.
Earlier in the hearing, the defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) J.B. Daudu, objected to the testimony, arguing that the prosecution had not provided them with witness statements.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) countered that the objection was merely a delay tactic. Justice Anenih dismissed the defence’s protest and ruled that the trial would proceed as scheduled.
