The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of Yahaya Bello, the ex-governor of Kogi State, to April 3rd for continuation of the hearing.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who is presiding over the case adjourned it for further hearing, after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, gave his testimony.
The judge announced that she could only hear one testimony from the five witnesses due to her tight schedule and decided to adjourn the case for a later date. Previously, she had also denied a request from Joseph Daudu, the counsel for Yahaya Bello, who sought an adjournment on the grounds of lacking prior knowledge about the witness.
Citing authorities, Daudu said the legal proceedings should not look like the popular “hide and seek” game. Arguing that the prosecution is under obligation to provide witness statements under oath afore time, so the defence councils can have sufficient time to prepare for effective cross-examination.
The witness told the Court that the estate firm he works for sold a property on 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama Abuja to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr. Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.
According to him, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached the estate firm and told them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC, therefore requesting a refund of the N550 million, which was eventually paid in two tranches to an EFCC-designated account.
During his testimony, Nworah did not bring up the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Yahaya Bello, along with two other individuals, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing a 16-count indictment related to criminal breach of trust and other offences.
They are alleged to have misused over N110 billion in public funds to purchase various properties in both Abuja and Dubai.
