By John Azu
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that Bello was not directly involved in the purchase of five Abuja properties linked to the alleged N110.4 billion money laundering case.
The witness, Shehu Bello, who appeared as the 17th prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made the disclosure while being cross-examined by counsel to the former governor, Paul Daudu (SAN).
Yahaya Bello is standing trial alongside Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Shuaib Oricha on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering and the alleged acquisition of properties in prime locations within the FCT and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
During the proceedings, Shehu Bello, a property agent involved in the transactions, stated that neither Yahaya Bello nor Oricha participated in the property purchases, including transactions relating to properties in Efab Estate.
The witness also denied having any family relationship with Ali Bello and the late Farouk Bello, who were allegedly involved in the acquisition of the properties. He explained that title documents, including deeds of assignment and powers of attorney, were eventually returned to Efab Estate following Farouk Bello’s death.
Under cross-examination, the witness acknowledged knowing Ali Bello for about 14 years through commodity trading activities.
Responding to questions from defence counsel, he said:
“I knew Ali Bello in the course of my business, which is commodity trading. We have done quite a number of businesses involving the purchase of grains, ginger and other agricultural products from Northern Nigeria. This was around 2012 to 2013. I also know that he is involved in real estate.”
Counsel for the second and third defendants, A.M. Aliyu, also questioned the witness on whether he knew Hudu and Oricha. In response, the witness said he did not know either of them and confirmed that they played no role in the property transactions.
He further told the court that after the title documents were returned to Efab Estate, he could not verify the identities of individuals who later came to retrieve them.
“Someone approached me with documents relating to the property and indicated an intention to sell it, but I cannot confirm whether he was a son of Farouk Bello,” he said.
Meanwhile, the EFCC’s 18th prosecution witness, Philip Kuma, an Information Technology consultant to the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue, testified that funds paid into his company’s account represented legitimate commissions earned from services rendered to the board.
Kuma identified the shareholders of his company as Margaret Kuma and Augustine Kuma. He, however, admitted under questioning that there were no board resolutions authorising the distribution of portions of the commission to individuals he described as stakeholders.
Following the testimonies, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter until October 14, 15, 16, 27 and 28 for continuation of hearing.