PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
A Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has adjourned the trial of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, in an alleged money laundering case until April 3, 24, and May 6, 2024.
The adjournment was announced by Justice Maryann Anenih after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, testified in the case.
At the hearing, Prosecution Counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), notified the court that he intended to call five witnesses, but Justice Anenih limited the testimony to just one witness due to her busy schedule.
The judge further announced that the court would not be in session on Thursday as previously planned.
Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution failed to provide the defence team with the sworn statements of the 2nd Defendant.
Daudu noted that the 1st Defendant had not yet made any statement.
Additionally, he objected to the prosecution’s witness, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were meeting him for the first time in court.
He emphasized that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, citing authorities that require the prosecution to provide witness statements on oath in advance for adequate defence preparation.
He said: “The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.
“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.
“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding.”
Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu (SAN), said: “I would like to make an observation, my lord. I respectfully apply for a court order directing the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”
When questioned by the judge about prior requests for statements, Aliyu revealed that he only discovered on Tuesday that the statements were not included in the proof of evidence served to the defendants.
He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.
“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Comm of Police.”
The prosecution countered, arguing that the defendants were attempting to delay the trial, and maintained that the proof of evidence had indeed been served on them as far back as November 27.
Pinheiro said: “The constitutional provision, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.
“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for.”
The prosecution noted that the issues would be addressed upon receipt of formal applications from the Defendants, and respectfully urged the court to proceed with the day’s business.
“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments.”
The judge questioned defendant’s counsel, Daudu, about the timing of raising certain issues, asking why he had not brought them up in December 2024.
Daudu replied that, according to procedure, the issues had to be raised after arraignment .
Counsel for the 3rd defendant said: “I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence.”
The judge ultimately denied the application for adjournment and instructed the prosecution to proceed with the case.
The prosecution then called its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited, who testified that he was summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 8, 2023, to discuss a transaction involving Shehu Bello and EFAB Property related to a property at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.
The witness testified in court on Wednesday, notably omitting any mention of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
He revealed that he sold the property in question to Shehu Bello, but curiously, the sale agreement listed the buyer as Dr. Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.
He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.
He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.
Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.
The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account as EFAB Property complied in two batches.
Nwora revealed that he had not had any contact with Shehu Bello or Dr. Bello Ohiani since their transaction, until December 2024, when the EFCC summoned him to testify in court as a witness in the case related to their transaction with Shehu Bello
Following the witness’ testimony, the court adjourned the case until April 3rd and 24th, and May 6th, 2025, for further hearing.
Persecondnews reports that the court has on December 10, 2024, remanded the former governor in Kuje prison while it granted bail to his co-defendants.
Bello was admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum by Justice Anenih on December 19, 2024, and secured his freedom the next day after meeting the bail conditions.
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