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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • BREAKING: Yahaya Bello absent in court as EFCC mulls for military intervention to fish him out

    BREAKING: Yahaya Bello absent in court as EFCC mulls for military intervention to fish him out

    Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to April 23rd.

    The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84bn money laundering.

    At the resumed sitting, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that the immediate past governor of Kogi State was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

    Phinro said the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

    Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out.

    More to follow…

  • Yahaya Bello asks Abuja court to set aside arrest warrant against him

    Yahaya Bello asks Abuja court to set aside arrest warrant against him

    Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, prayed a Federal High Court, Abuja to set aside an arrest warrant issued against him.

    Bello, through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, told Justice Emeka Nwite that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the order in the first instance.

    Mohammed told Justice Nwite when the matter was called for the ex-governor to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count money laundering charge.

    Recall Justice Nwite had, on Wednesday, ordered that EFCC should be issued a warrant for the arrest of Bello.

    The judge, who granted the order, directed that Bello should be brought to court today to take his plea in the charge preferred against him.

    Mohammed informed the court that a preliminary objection had already been filed before the court to the effect.

    The lawyer, who urged the court to vacate the arrest warrant order, said a High Court of Kogi had on Feb. 9 restrained the anti-graft agency from arresting, detaining or prosecuting Bello.

    He said the order was challenged by the EFCC at the Court of Appeal and the matter was already fixed for hearing.

    Mohammed said that the arrest warrant the commission surreptitiously got from the court was an attempt to bring the court on a collision course with the Appeal Court.

    He said the issue of jurisdiction was a threshold which the court must address first.

    However, EFCC’s lawyer, Kehibde Pinhero, SAN, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

    He said the matter was fixed for Bello’s arraignment and Mohammed, having announced appearance for the ex-governor, could be served in the open court for the matter to proceed.

    He said the arrest warrant was to ensure that Bello was produced in court to stand his trial since all efforts to effect the service on him had proved abortive.

    The hearing is still ongoing as at the time of filing the report.

  • Bello’s arrest: What Gov Ododo did is criminal – EFCC

    Bello’s arrest: What Gov Ododo did is criminal – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

    The warning is coming after the EFCC on Wednesday made an attempt to arrest the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello but met a brick wall of resistance.

    The EFCC operatives had on Wednesday mounted surveillance around the home of Bello on No 9 Benghazi Street ,Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, apparently to effect his arrest.

    The EFCC operatives retreated shortly after the sitting Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, who paid Bello a visit departed around 4.30 pm.

    It was, however, not clear whether Ododo, who had arrived the premises of Bello with his convoy around 2.30 pm went away with the former governor or left him behind.

    The EFCC has said Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

    “Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years,” the EFCC said in a statement.

    The statement further reads: “This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

    “On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

    “The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions”.

    Bello vs EFCC: Confusion as 2 High Courts issue contrasting orders

    Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered that a warrant be issued to the EFCC for the immediate arrest of Bello.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on EFCC’s ex-parte motion, held that after listening to the submission of commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and reading the affidavit in support of the motion, including the exhibits and written address, he was inclined to grant the application.

    Earlier, a High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday, restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Bello.

    Justice I. A. Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, held that infringing on Bello’s fundamental human rights “is null and void”.

    The judge, who dismissed the commission’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, said: “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant.

    “This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”

    However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nwite on Wednesday, the judge ordered that a warrant be issued to the commission for Bello’s immediate arrest.

    He also directed that the former governor be produced before the court on April 18 for arraignment.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows:

    “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.

    “That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.

    The EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 dated April 16 and filed April 17, sought six orders.

    These include “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

    “An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”

    In the alternative, the anti-graft agency sought an order issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/ commanding the defendant to appear before the court on a named date, among others.

    The conflicting orders came after the EFCC had appealed against the initial order, and the appeal was scheduled for hearing on April 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 between EFCC and Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege on the former Governor’s Abuja residence.

    Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering:  EFCC Arraigns Yahaya Bello April 18

    Meanwhile, the EFCC will on Thursday, April 18, 2024 (today) arraign Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

    He will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira,  Eighty Eight Kobo).

    Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

    Count one of the charges reads: That you,  Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction  of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity  to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

    Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of  N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    Count 18  of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello  sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction  of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer  the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

    The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance  on Wednesday,  April 17,  2024. The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who  ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle. As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

    It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

  • Bello vs EFCC: Confusion as 2 High Courts issue contrasting orders

    Bello vs EFCC: Confusion as 2 High Courts issue contrasting orders

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered that a warrant be issued to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for immediate arrest of former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on EFCC’s ex-parte motion, held that after listening to the submission of commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and reading the affidavit in support of the motion, including the exhibits and written address, he was inclined to grant the application.

    It was reported earlier that a High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday, restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Bello

    Justice I. A. Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, held that infringing on Bello’s fundamental human rights “is null and void”.

    The judge, who dismissed the commission’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, said: “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant.

    “This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”

    However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nwite on Wednesday, the judge ordered that a warrant be issued to the commission for Bello’s immediate arrest.

    He also directed that the former governor be produced before the court on April 18 for arraignment.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows:

    “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.

    “That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.

    NAN reports that the EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 dated April 16 and filed April 17, sought six orders.

    These include “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

    “An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”

    In the alternative, the anti-graft agency sought an order issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/ commanding the defendant to appear before the court on a named date, among others.

    The conflicting orders came after the EFCC had appealed against the initial order, and the appeal was scheduled for hearing on April 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 between EFCC and Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege on the former Governor’s Abuja residence.

  • BREAKING: EFCC finally gets go-ahead to arrest Yahaya Bello

    BREAKING: EFCC finally gets go-ahead to arrest Yahaya Bello

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered that a warrant be issued to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for immediate arrest of former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on EFCC’s ex-parte motion, held that after listening to the submission of commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and reading the affidavit in support of the motion, including the exhibits and written address, he was inclined to grant the application.

    Recall that a High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Bello

    Justice I.A Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, held that infringing on Bello’s “fundamental human rights is null and void.”

    The judge, who dismissed the commission’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, said: “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant.

    “This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”

    However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nwite on Wednesday, the judge ordered that a warrant be issued to the commission for Bello’s immediate arrest.

    He also directed that the former governor be produced before the court on April 18 for arraignment.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows:

    “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.

    “That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.

    The EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 dated April 16 and filed April 17, sought six orders.

    These include “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

    “An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”

    In the alternative, the anti-graft agency sought an order issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/ commanding the defendant to appear before the court on a named date, among others.

    The conflicting orders came after the EFCC had appealed against the initial order, and the appeal was scheduled for hearing on April 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 between EFCC and Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege on the former Governor’s Abuja residence.

  • EFCC saga: Yahaya Bello writes Tinubu for help

    EFCC saga: Yahaya Bello writes Tinubu for help

    Former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday, called on President Bola Tinubu to call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order over alleged flagrant disobedience to court orders.

    The former governor, in a statement issued by his media officer, Mr Onogwu Muhammed in Abuja, said “Nigeria is not a lawless country.”

    The statement reads: “At about 9:30 am this morning, April 17,  persons who identified themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.

    “This is inspite of  a subsisting order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

    “The EFCC was duly served with that order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.

    “The appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.

    “Furthermore, judgment in the substantive case between Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered noon today in Lokoja.

    “Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of the former governor seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!

    “It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.

    “We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.

    “A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.

    “Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.

    “We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.

    “It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.

    “This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

    “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.”

    EFCC operatives laid siege to the residence of Bello in Wuse, Abuja on Wednesday. The Kogi State’s sitting governor and Bello’s successor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo and his motorcade were seen around the premises.

    One of the operatives disclosed that the action had to do with money-laundering charges levelled against the erstwhile governor. EFCC’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, could not be reached to confirm the claim.

    In March, the EFCC dragged Bello and three alleged accomplices before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended charge of N84 billion money laundering.

  • BREAKING: EFCC secures warrant to arrest Yahaya Bello

    BREAKING: EFCC secures warrant to arrest Yahaya Bello

    The Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to arrest the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, preparatory to his arraignment on Thursday.

    Justice Emeka Nwite granted the warrant this afternoon at the instance of the EFCC.

    This is as a Kogi State High Court in a conflicting ruling restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining or prosecuting the ex-governor.

    Details later…

     

  • BREAKING: Court stops EFCC from Arresting, detaining, prosecuting Yahaya Bello

    BREAKING: Court stops EFCC from Arresting, detaining, prosecuting Yahaya Bello

    A State High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining and prosecuting ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

    Justice I.A Jamil of High Court IV gave the order in a two hour judgement delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020 in Lokoja on Wednesday.

    The judge said that infringing on the fundamental human rights of the former Kogi is null and void except as authorised by the Court.

    “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant except as authorised by the Court.

    “This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given,” he said.

    Bello had filed a case of a breach of his fundamental human rights by the Anti-graft agency before the state High Court.

     The Ex-Gov had prayed for an order restraining the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting him unjustly.

    He sought for the enforcement of his fundamental right against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Consequently, the Court restrained the respondents from persecuting the applicant, safe only when it has a reasonable evidence upon proper investigation.

    On the issue of jurisdiction as challenged by the EFCC, the judge said it had failed and so was dismissed.

    “This honourable court has jurisdiction to entertain this application.

    “Therefore, the substantive issues of fundamental human rights sought by the applicant succeeds,” the judge declared .

     

  • Ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello kicks as EFCC storm his Abuja residence

    Ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello kicks as EFCC storm his Abuja residence

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to the residence of former Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Wuse, Abuja on Wednesday.

    The state’s sitting governor and Bello’s successor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo and his motorcade were seen around the premises.

    One of the operatives told NAN that the action had to do with money-laundering charges levelled against the erstwhile governor.

    EFCC’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, could not be reached to confirm the claim.

    In March, the EFCC dragged Bello and three alleged accomplices before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended charge of N84 billion money laundering.

    Reacting to EFCC’s move of Wednesday, the media office of the ex-governor condemned the action and urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the EFCC.

    It stated that: “the presence of EFCC’s operatives in Bello’s residence negated an injunction granted by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, on Feb. 9.’’

    It added that the court granted the injunction in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Bello and the EFCC restraining the EFCC from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting Bello, pending the determination of a substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

    “The EFCC was duly served with that order on Feb. 12, and on Feb. 26, it filed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

    “The appeal was accompanied by a Motion for a Stay of Execution of the order of the Lokoja High Court, and the Court of Appeal fixed hearing for April 22.

    “Furthermore, judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC will be delivered at noon in Lokoja on Wednesday.

    “Contrary to all of these, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of Yahaya Bello, seeking to arrest him in contravention of extant orders.

    “It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to reliefs granted.

    “We are aware of the total commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s current administration to the rule of law,’’ it stated.

  • EFCC formally files money laundering charges against Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello

    EFCC formally files money laundering charges against Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally filed N84 billion money laundering charges against former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

    The EFCC filed the money laundering charges against former Governor Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday.

    Bello was charged before the court alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.

    The anti graft agency disclosed that the quartet are being prosecuted on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84 billion.

    To make way for Yahaya Bello’s inclusion in the trial, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of an application before it for the amendment of the charges against the defendants, dated February 5, 2024, and filed the same day.

    He then prayed that the amended charges be read to the defendants for them to take their pleas.

    Judge Omotosho granted the prayer, overruling objections from A.M Aliyu SAN, and Olusegun Joolawo SAN, counsels to Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants.

    Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”

    While ex-Governor Yahaya Bello and Hudu are still at large, Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants respectively, who were present in court “pleaded not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them.

    In continuation of the trial, Oyedepo  invited fourth Prosecution Witness, PW4, Yakubu Gana, counsel to the property owner and seller of a property located in Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja which Ali Bello and Suleiman allegedly bought at the cost of N950 million on behalf of ex-governor Yahaya Bello through their lawyer, Ramalan Jibril Abdullahi.

    Gana said: “We negotiated and agreed on the sum of N950 million. Their lawyer, Ramalan Abdullahi,  said his clients would prefer to pay in cash and in dollars. I had to call my client to inform him because he was not in the country at that time. My client cautioned me whether I knew the buyers, and I answered I knew their lawyer way back in secondary school.

    “The lawyer and the clients invited me into their office, a bureau de change office at Zone 4, adjacent to Sheraton, now Abuja Continental Hotel. They then showed me dollars in ‘Ghana must go,’ but the dollars in ‘Ghana must go’ was not up to that N950 million.

    “They said they would make it up by bringing some dollars to make it to N950 million. The transaction took us almost two weeks, and the lawyer invited me to the same BDC office for confirmation, then the money was completed in dollar equivalent,” he said.

    In his testimony as fifth prosecution witness, Abdullahi told the court that though he acted as a go-between in the purchase of the property, his major assignment was to carry out due diligence on the said property which paved the way for its purchase by Ali Bello and Suleiman, his clients.

    Oyedepo requested for the property’s title documents to enable him to tender them in evidence. However, Justice Omotosho ordered him to formally apply to the defendants and thereafter adjourned the matter to March 28, 2024 for continuation of trial.