RismadarVoice Reporters
May 8, 2026
A prosecution witness on Friday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, how a property in Abuja was allegedly purchased for the naira equivalent of N950 million paid in United States dollars in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, a legal practitioner with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), testified before Justice Maryanne Anineh as the 15th prosecution witness (PW15).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Abdullahi told the court that in January 2022, a friend informed him about a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, and requested that he conduct due diligence on it.
“I picked up a call from my friend who informed me that some agents introduced him to this property to sell and that I can conduct due diligence on it,” the witness said.
Asked who he dealt with in relation to the transaction, Abdullahi replied: “Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The payment of the property was in naira, paid in dollars equivalent to N950 million.”
The witness further told the court that he prepared title documents for the transaction and handed them over to Ali Bello.
According to him, the property was assigned to White Tree Nigeria Limited based on instructions allegedly received from Ali Bello.
“I was given the name White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee. I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited,” he said.
“The person who gave me the name of White Tree Limited was Ali Bello,” he added.
During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), the witness confirmed that he had previously testified before the Federal High Court and said he received instructions through Shehu Bello.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the third defendant, Z.E. Abbas, the witness stated that he never met Abdulsalami Hudu.
Earlier, the court heard arguments on applications relating to jurisdiction and suspension of proceedings.
Counsel to the third defendant sought an adjournment to respond to a prosecution application, arguing it was only served on him on Thursday evening. However, prosecution counsel opposed the request, contending that the issues raised were similar to those already before the court.
Justice Anineh later ruled that the third defendant could move his application to the next adjourned date.
The prosecution also withdrew an application dated May 6, 2026, without objection from the defence.
Abbas subsequently moved an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court and seeking to strike out the trial, arguing that the court lacked the authority to hear the matter.
Responding, prosecution counsel Adetokunbo argued that the application was defective and maintained that the charges before the FCT High Court differed from those before the Federal High Court.
He urged the court to dismiss the application.
After hearing arguments, Justice Anineh discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until May 22, 2026, for ruling on the pending applications, and June 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
