EFCC Witness Claims Yahaya Bello, Co-Defendants Made No Payments for Property in N110.4bn Fraud Case

 In a high-profile money laundering trial, Fabian Nwora, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on June 25 that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, never paid Efab Property Nigeria Limited for a property at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama. The testimony forms a critical part of a 16-count charge accusing the trio of laundering N110.4 billion, as detailed in court documents reported

Nwora, chairman of Efab Property, told Justice Maryanne Anenih that Shehu Bello, not the defendants, initiated negotiations for the N550 million property in 2020, with Segun Adeleke, the second prosecution witness, finalizing the deal. Adeleke confirmed no transactions involved Bello, Oricha, or Hudu, noting Shehu Bello withdrew interest after an EFCC probe began. The prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, submitted the sale agreement as evidence, despite objections from Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, who argued the defense was not given prior access to Nwora’s statement. Justice Anenih overruled the objection, allowing testimony to continue.

The EFCC alleges Bello conspired to launder N80.2 billion in 2016, with additional charges of concealing N3.08 billion through E-Traders International Limited between 2021 and 2022, as outlined in court filings. Bello, arrested on November 26, 2024, after months of evasion, faces scrutiny over an incident where Kogi Governor Usman Ododo allegedly aided his escapes. The trial, adjourned to October 8, 9, November 12, and 13, 2025, has sparked public debate, revealing divided opinions—some questioning EFCC’s motives, others demanding accountability. The case ties to separate charges against Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, for laundering N3 billion. Analysts suggest the trial could influence anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria’s public sector, where fraud costs $18 billion annually, according to Transparency International.