Yahaya Bello not linked to disputed property deals, EFCC witness tells court

By Boye Oyeyemi

The 17th prosecution witness in the ongoing money laundering trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday told the court that the ex-governor was not connected to any of the property transactions forming part of the case.

The witness, Shehu Bello Bala, made the disclosure while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN). He maintained that neither the former governor nor the second defendant participated in the transactions under scrutiny.

Bala told the court that one Farouk Bello acted as the agent in the property dealings. According to him, Farouk later returned the title documents, including the deed of assignment and power of attorney, to Efab Estate.

The witness, a commodity trader from Katsina State, also clarified that he had no family relationship with either Ali Bello or Farouk Bello, stressing that his association with them was strictly business-related.

He explained that he had known Ali Bello for about 14 years through commodity trading activities, particularly in the purchase and sale of agricultural products such as grains and ginger sourced from northern Nigeria.

Responding to further questions from A.M. Aliyu (SAN), counsel to the second and third defendants, Bala said he did not know the third defendant and had no involvement whatsoever in the disputed property transactions.

He further testified that by the time the title documents were returned to Efab Estate, Farouk Bello—whom he described as a friend of his father—had already passed away. He added that he later received individuals who approached him with documents indicating their intention to sell the property.

Bala also informed the court that he eventually returned the documents to the chairman of Efab Estate after learning that the property had become the subject of an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Proceedings were briefly marked by legal arguments between the prosecution and defence over whether the property in question was inherited, before the matter was adjourned for further hearing.