Justice Emeka Nwite of the High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to March 6 and March 7, 2025.
The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was postponed after the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, presented two witnesses, including one subpoenaed.
The first witness, Segun Adelakun, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified that Yahaya Bello’s name was not linked to two properties in Maitama and Gwarinpa. He explained that in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to a man named Shehu Bello regarding a property purchase. Adelakun confirmed meeting Shehu Bello three times—first for introduction, then for payment, and finally for executing legal documents.
When asked about another property on 5th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Adelakun stated that it was purchased by Nuhu Mohammed for ₦70 million via bank transfer, though he could not recall the specific bank used.
During cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, questioned Adelakun about his role in the transactions. Adelakun confirmed that all his actions were based on instructions from his chairman and admitted that he never directly interacted with Yahaya Bello, nor did the defendant’s name appear on any transaction documents.
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), was subpoenaed by the prosecution. She submitted financial records, including the statement of account for the Kogi State Government House from January 2016 to January 2024. Other documents admitted in evidence included the statements of account of Maselina Njoku from 2022, and financial records for the American International School from September 2020.
Although the defence initially objected to the subpoenaed witness, they later clarified that they had no intention of delaying the trial. Justice Nwite then adjourned proceedings to March 6 and March 7, 2025, for the continuation of the case.
