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Bello, Co-Defendants Didn’t Pay For Property, EFCC Witness Alleges
The two other defendants are Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The Second Prosecution Witness, Segun Adeleke, in the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has told the Federal Capital Territory High court, that the ex-governor and his co-defendants never paid for a property at Efab company.
The two other defendants are Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
During the day’s proceedings, Adeleke added that he had no dealings with the three defendants throughout the transactions on the property.
When asked to also confirm if the names of the defendants appeared on any of the transaction documents, the witness, who is a manager at Efab Property Limited, said he did not know any of the three defendants.
The First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Fabian Nwora, had also earlier confirmed to the court that none of the three defendants in the case paid money into the account of his company, Efab Property Limited.
Nwora said he knows the former governor, but maintained that his name did not feature in the transaction being referred to.
He said he opened negotiations on the said property but that the negotiations were concluded by Segun Adeleke, who is the EFCC’s second witness (PW2).
Nwora had at a previous hearing testified that he was invited to the EFCC on February 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property on a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, noting that it was the said Shehu who approached him for the property.
The PW2, Adeleke, while being examined by the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), reiterated that, in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, gave him the brief of the property, which Shehu Bello showed interest in.
He said the deal was concluded, and N500 million was paid for the said property.
When the prosecution lawyer asked what happened afterwards, the witness said Shehu Bello returned to their office, with the agreement, to tell his chairman that he was no longer interested in the property as a result of the EFCC investigation.
The EFCC lawyer also asked about some documents issued to one Nuhu Muhammed with respect to a property in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The witness confirmed that the documents were issued to the said Nuhu Muhammed after he purchased one of the units of the detached bungalows.
At that point, the Counsel to the Defence, Joseph Daudu (SAN), objected, saying there was a clear disconnect between the documents sought to be tendered and the foundation laid by the witness himself.
The Prosecution, however, said the objection was misconceived, and it was subsequently overruled by the Judge.
Responding, while being cross-examined by the Defence Counsel, the witness confirmed that he had testified to similar evidence at the Federal High Court before Justice Emeka Nwite.
He admitted that he was brought into the transaction after the process had commenced, that he did not initiate it.
Daudu, SAN, told the witness that while giving evidence before Justice Nwite, he had said that funds for the said property at Gwarinpa were transferred at once.
He added that he had now contradicted himself before Justice Anenih by saying it was done in two tranches.
The witness said it was in two tranches and that he had receipts, but admitted later that he did not know Nuhu Muhammed.
Another witness, on subpoena, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, tendered the statement of account of Kogi State Government House, along with the Certificate of Identification.
The defence counsels said they would speak to the document appropriately in the course of the trial.
After listening to both parties, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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