Witnesses Detail Property Deals in Bello Laundering Trial

In recent hearings of the money laundering trial against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, prosecution witnesses testified about property transactions in Abuja allegedly linked to the defendant or his associates, revealing details of cash and bank payments but no direct dealings with Bello himself.

The trials, spanning charges of N80.2 billion and N110 billion in alleged laundering, are proceeding in Abuja's Federal High Court before Justice Emeka Nwite and the Federal Capital Territory High Court before Justice Maryann Anenih. Bello, who governed Kogi from 2016 to 2024, has pleaded not guilty. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accuses him of using proxies, including his nephew Ali Bello, to acquire luxury properties with proceeds of crime, in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

On Friday, Ramadan Jibrin, a Federal Capital Development Authority staffer testifying as the 14th witness in the FCT High Court case, told the court he conducted due diligence on a property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, in January 2022 at the request of Shehu Bello Bala, a friend. Jibrin said he prepared documents for a deed of assignment and power of attorney between...