On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its first witness in the case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
This witness, a real estate businessman named Fabian Nwaora, took the stand after Justice Maryann Anenih dismissed objections from the former governor and his co-defendants regarding the trial’s start.
The defendants, represented by their lawyers, argued that the EFCC had not provided adequate evidence for their prosecution.
However, Justice Anenih noted there was no formal request from the defendants to support their claims and opted not to delay the proceedings.
Thus, the trial continued without interruption.
During his testimony, Nwaora detailed how his company, EFAB Property, sold a property at No. 1 Ikobosi Street.
In 2020, Nwaora sold the property in Maitama, Abuja, to Shehu Bello for ₦550 million, confirming the transaction.
He mentioned that in 2023, Bello returned all property documents, informing EFAB that an investigation by the EFCC was underway.
Nwaora recounted how the EFCC later summoned him, instructing him to refund the payment to a specific account designated by the agency.
Following this, Justice Anenih postponed the next hearing until April 3, allowing time for further developments in the case.
Yahaya Bello governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024. Now, he faces trial for alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud scheme.
He stands alongside two other Kogi State officials, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, making this a significant case with multiple defendants.
The charges against them, labeled CR/7781, involve conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of property acquired unlawfully.
The EFCC asserts that Bello misappropriated state funds to buy multiple properties, including a N950 million property on Danube Street.
These transactions involve significant amounts, highlighting potential financial misconduct in the management of state resources, prompting further investigation.
Additionally, prosecutors accuse the defendants of transferring large sums of money—$570,330 and $556,265—to TD Bank in the USA.
They also allegedly unlawfully obtained N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
On December 10, 2024, the court ordered the former governor’s detention at Kuje prison, granting bail to his co-defendants.
Eventually, Bello was granted bail set at N500 million, needing three sureties to secure his release.