RismadarVoice Reporters
May 7, 2026
A prosecution witness in the alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Ali Bello made several cash payments running into millions of naira for the construction of a property in Maitama, Abuja.
The witness, Shehu Bello, who testified before Justice Emeka Nwite during continuation of the hearing in the case, said the payments he was aware of included ₦9 million, ₦8.5 million and ₦5.8 million, all allegedly paid in cash.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Yahaya Bello over alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, the witness said his involvement in the Maitama property project began after Ali Bello asked him to recommend a construction company.
“My friend Ali Bello approached me if I knew any good construction company that could build a house for him, so I recommended a company, Metro Deck Construction Company Limited. I brought them and he gave them the job to build the house for him,” he told the court.
The witness stated that payments to the construction company were made through both bank transfers and cash transactions.
“Ali Bello made transfers to them and on some occasions he paid them in cash,” he said.
Asked to specify the cash payments he knew about, the witness replied: “The ones that I’m aware of; ₦9 million, ₦8.5 million and ₦5.8 million, these are the only three payments I am aware of in cash.”
He also testified about another property located at Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse II, Abuja, which he said Ali Bello acquired for commercial development.
According to the witness, Ali Bello requested his assistance in sourcing a property in Wuse II for the construction of shops.
“My friend Ali Bello asked me if I can get him a property around Wuse II, where he can build shops,” he said.
The witness disclosed that the property was purchased from SFC Foods Limited for ₦650 million through bank transfer.
“It was bought from SFC Foods Limited. The amount paid was ₦650 million. The payment was made in a bank transfer,” he added.
During proceedings, the witness confirmed making statements to the EFCC during investigations and identified the documents shown to him in court as his statements.
“Yes, it’s my statement, it carries my signature on all pages,” he said.
Following the confirmation, prosecution counsel sought to tender the witness’s extra-judicial statements as evidence.
However, defence counsel, Adebayo Adedeji, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents, arguing that the prosecution could not rely on its own witness’s statement as substantive evidence.
“The extra-judicial statement sought to be tendered this morning by the prosecution as though it constitutes substantive evidence in support of the prosecution’s case is a misconception of the law and inadmissible at this stage,” he argued.
Responding, Enitan maintained that the statements were admissible since the witness had acknowledged making them and they were relevant to the matter before the court.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the case till June 15 and 18, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of the statements and continuation of the trial.
