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Witness Reveals How ₦950m Maitama Property Was Allegedly Purchased in Yahaya Bello Trial
A prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday narrated before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, how a luxury property worth about ₦950 million was allegedly purchased using United States dollars.
The witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, who appeared as PW15 before Justice Maryanne Anineh, said the property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was acquired in January 2022 through transactions linked to Ali Bello.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Yahaya Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Abdullahi, a legal practitioner with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), told the court that a friend had contacted him to conduct due diligence on the property after agents introduced it for sale.
According to the witness, he interfaced with Ali Bello through Shehu Bello during the transaction process.
“Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The payment of the property was in naira, paid in dollars equivalent to ₦950 million,” he told the court.
The witness further disclosed that he prepared and handed over all relevant title documents connected to the transaction.
He stated that White Tree Nigeria Limited was used as the assignee in the property transfer documents.
“I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee,” Abdullahi testified, adding that the instruction to use White Tree Nigeria Limited came directly from Ali Bello.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, the witness confirmed that he had previously testified before the Federal High Court and that he received instructions regarding the property transaction from Shehu Bello.
He also stated that he never met the third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu.
Earlier during proceedings, legal arguments arose over jurisdictional applications filed by the defence team. Counsel to the third defendant, Z. E. Abbas, urged the court to strike out the trial on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.
However, prosecution counsel opposed the application, arguing that the charges before the FCT High Court were distinct from matters pending before the Federal High Court.
According to the prosecution, the current case bordered on criminal breach of trust, while the Federal High Court matter focused on money laundering offences.
Justice Maryanne Anineh subsequently adjourned the matter till May 22, 2026, for ruling on the pending applications and fixed June 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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