A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, is currently presiding over the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mr. Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust and money laundering. The proceedings on Friday saw a prosecution witness detail how a luxurious property in Maitama was allegedly acquired using funds paid in United States dollars, equivalent to ₦950 million.

Ramalan Abdullahi, who testified as the 15th prosecution witness (PW15), is a legal practitioner with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). He recounted his involvement in the property transaction at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama. Abdullahi stated that sometime in January 2021, a friend contacted him regarding agents who had introduced the property for sale, asking him to conduct due diligence. He was later instructed to remain on standby for payment processing on January 15, 2021, following Friday prayers.

During his testimony, led by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Abdullahi disclosed that Ali Bello, a nephew to former Governor Bello and Chief of Staff to the incumbent Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, was represented through Shehu Bello in the transaction. The witness confirmed that the entire payment for the property, amounting to the naira equivalent of ₦950 million, was made in US dollars. He further revealed that he prepared the necessary title documents, including the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc (or Palchi Ventures Limited) as the assignor and White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee. A power of attorney was also prepared for the same parties, with the directive to use White Tree Nigeria Limited coming directly from Ali Bello. White Tree Nigeria Limited has been identified as a company linked to Mr. Bello’s children.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), the witness confirmed his prior testimony before the Federal High Court. He affirmed receiving instructions from Shehu Bello but stated he had never met Abdulsalami Hudu, the third defendant. Abdullahi also initially stated he was unaware of the property's sale price until he was informed by Barrister Yakubu Haruna. After preparing the documents, he handed them over to Barrister Yakubu for execution, which was done and returned to him in March 2021, before he subsequently handed them to Shehu Bello Bala.

Further corroborating testimonies were heard from other witnesses. Barrister Yakubu Haruna, the 12th prosecution witness, also testified regarding the property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, confirming its purchase for ₦950 million from Palchi Nigeria Plc. Additionally, James Igbakuleh, the 11th prosecution witness, informed the court about another property at No 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, which was sold for ₦650 million in 2021 to Shehu Bello, with Ali Bello present in his office as the purchaser. The EFCC's broader allegations claim that Mr. Bello, who governed Kogi State from January 2016 to January 2024, conspired with co-defendants to divert state funds for acquiring various properties in choice areas of Abuja and one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All defendants have denied these allegations.

A significant aspect of Friday's proceedings involved the defendants' applications challenging the court's jurisdiction and seeking a stay of proceedings. Mr. Bello and Mr. Oricha had previously argued this application. The third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, through his counsel Z.E. Abbas, also presented a similar application, arguing that the trial should be struck out due to lack of jurisdiction. The prosecution counsel, Pinheiro, had earlier informed the court about serving an application seeking suspension and stay of proceedings, though this application, dated May 6, was later withdrawn by the prosecution after being informed it had already been argued, a request granted by the court.

Responding to the jurisdictional challenge, EFCC lawyer Adetokunbo David urged the court to strike out the defendants' applications, branding them as weak and misconceived. He argued that the application was defective as the applicant was not a defendant in the cases before the Federal High Court, which formed the basis of the jurisdictional argument. David contended that the charges before Justice Anineh, primarily concerning criminal breach of trust, are distinct from those before the Federal High Court, which relate to money laundering and other offenses. He also asserted that authorities cited by the defense, such as FRN vs Agaba and FRN vs Yahaya, were not applicable to the current matter.

Justice Maryanne Anineh subsequently ruled that the third defendant could move his application at the next adjourned date. The trial judge adjourned the matter until May 22 for rulings on all pending applications, marking another critical juncture in the high-profile fraud case.