ABUJA — The corruption trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello continued on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the FCT High Court in Abuja, with a prosecution witness providing detailed accounts of multi-million naira property acquisitions linked to the former governor.
The witness, Shehu Bello, identified as the 17th prosecution witness (PW17) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified that a sum of ₦550 million was converted into United States dollars and paid in cash for a property located at No. 1, Ikogosi Spring Close, in the Maitama District of Abuja. The witness, an estate agent and commodity trader, noted that he was paid a commission for the transaction, which the EFCC alleges was purchased using funds diverted from Kogi State’s treasury.
Allegations of Diverted Funds
The former governor is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust. The EFCC alleges that the defendants diverted approximately ₦110 billion from the state's coffers during Bello’s tenure. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During his testimony, the witness provided accounts of his involvement in handling several high-value property purchases on behalf of Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew and Chief of Staff to the incumbent governor, Usman Ododo. The witness detailed several specific transactions, including:
• A property in Guzape District, Abuja, purchased for ₦48 million.
• A property in Wuse 1, Abuja, purchased for ₦105 million.
• A major plaza project on Durban Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, acquired for ₦650 million through a direct transfer to SFC Nigerian Limited.
Testimony from the 16th Witness
The court also heard from the 16th prosecution witness, Baba-Isah Baffa, who testified regarding the purchase of a shop at Sherif Plaza. Baffa stated that Ali Bello acquired the shop for ₦66 million, with payments made in two tranches of ₦40 million and ₦26 million. During cross-examination, Baffa clarified that he did not know the defendants personally and that they were not directly involved in the transaction for that specific property, though he acknowledged the former governor as a public figure.
Following the testimonies, the defense counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), requested an adjournment. Despite opposition from the prosecution counsel, Kayode Enitan (SAN), the trial judge granted the request to allow the court to address other matters. The case is set to resume on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
As the trial progresses, the EFCC is expected to continue presenting evidence linking the various properties to the alleged ₦110 billion diversion, further outlining the complex web of financial transactions associated with the former governor's administration.
