An estate agent has told an Abuja court how N550 million — converted to US dollars — was paid in cash for a property the EFCC says former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello owns.

Shehu Bello, the 17th prosecution witness, testified on Tuesday before Justice Maryam Hassan of the FCT High Court. He said the property at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja “was bought by Farouk Bello from Efab Estate. It was paid in USD in cash. I was paid a commission.”

Shehu didn't say how much commission he got or how Farouk is connected to Yahaya Bello, who last month emerged as the APC senatorial candidate for Kogi Central.

The EFCC has charged Bello, along with Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, with 16 counts of criminal breach of trust. The anti-graft agency alleges they diverted about N110 billion from Kogi State's funds while Bello was governor.

Shehu, whose name has appeared in earlier testimonies, told the court he handled property purchases for Ali Bello — the former governor's nephew and chief of staff to current Governor Usman Ododo.

Led by EFCC lawyer Kayode Enitan (SAN), Shehu detailed six property transactions:

  • He bought a property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja for N48 million. This appears in Count 6 of the charges.
  • He sold another property at Plot 31, Guzape, Abuja on Ali's behalf for N100 million. Ali had bought it from one 'Alhaji Jimeta'.
  • He handled the purchase of A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja for N105 million from Mercelina Njoku. This is in Count 7.

Shehu also said he introduced Ali to Metro Dec Construction Limited for a property at Plot 1981, Dallas Hill, Maitama. “I made payments to the construction company on his behalf,” he said — totalling N5.5 million, N9.8 million, N8 million and $6,000.

Ali also asked him to find land for a plaza. Shehu said he got a property at Durban Street for N650 million from SFC Nigerian Limited. “The money was transferred,” he said. The property — No. 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, also known as No. 2 Durban Street — appears in Count 10.

In March, the 11th prosecution witness, James Igbakuleh, had narrated how that property was sold to Shehu.

After Shehu's testimony, Bello's lawyer, Paul Daudu (SAN), asked for an adjournment. Enitan opposed it, saying no reason was given. The judge agreed with the prosecution but granted the adjournment to allow the court to handle other matters.

The 16th prosecution witness, Baba-Isah Baffa, also testified about a shop at Sherif Plaza. He said Ali showed interest in a shop priced at N66 million, got the requirements, and paid in two tranches: N40 million and N26 million. Ali then got an allocation letter and receipt.

During cross-examination, Baffa said he didn't know any of the defendants and that they weren't involved in the purchase. He knew the former governor only as a public figure.

The trial continues.