In a recent development, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing money laundering case against Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. The case, brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saw significant testimonies presented by two key witnesses during the recent court proceedings.

The court’s decision to adjourn came after the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called his two witnesses, one of whom was summoned on a subpoena. The first witness to testify was Segun Adelakun, the General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited. Adelakun informed the court that the name of the former governor, Yahaya Bello, did not appear on any of the two properties in question. These properties are situated at 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama, and another in Gwarinpa.

Recounting the events that transpired, Adelakun mentioned that in 2020, he was introduced to a young man named Shehu Bello by his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora. They discussed the purchase of the properties during their meeting.

When asked if he had seen Shehu Bello after that day, Adelakun confirmed that he had seen him three times—the first time for an introduction, the second for payment, and the third for executing the legal document for the EFAB property.

Further into his testimony, the EFCC lawyer questioned Adelakun about another property located at 5th Avenue in Gwarinpa. Adelakun disclosed that the property was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million, and the payment was made through a bank transfer. However, when asked to specify which bank the money came from, he could not recall.

During cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, inquired if Adelakun’s actions were solely based on the instructions from his chairman, to which he responded affirmatively.

Daudu further questioned whether Adelakun initiated any discussions with Shehu Bello on his own, and Adelakun answered in the negative.

Regarding the documents signed for the transactions, Adelakun confirmed that he did not witness Shehu Bello signing his part of the documents. Daudu also asked if Adelakun ever saw the defendant throughout the transactions, to which Adelakun replied in the negative.

Additionally, when asked if the defendant’s name appeared on any of the documents, which were held by the EFCC, Adelakun again answered in the negative.

Following Adelakun’s testimony, the prosecution informed the court that they had another witness to call on subpoena. The defendant’s counsel objected, arguing that they were being caught off guard but clarified that they had no intention of stalling the trial.

The second witness, Williams Abimbola, identified herself as a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA). She presented a subpoena which the prosecution sought to tender as evidence.

With no objections from the defendant’s counsel, the subpoena was marked as “Exhibit 1.” Abimbola then read out the documents requested by the subpoena, including the statement of account of the Kogi State Government House from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. Also admitted into evidence were the statements of account of Maselina Njoku from January 1 to December 31, 2022, and the account opening packages and statements of accounts from the American International School, covering the period from September 1 to September 30, 2020.

Concluding the session, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of the proceedings.

The trial of the former Governor of Kogi State continues to attract significant attention as it unfolds, with many keenly watching the developments.

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