A prosecution witness in Yahaya Bello’s N110.4 billion fraud trial has told the FCT High Court how a luxury Abuja property was allegedly acquired through dollar payments equivalent to N950 million
Witness Tells Court How $950m Equivalent Was Paid for Abuja Mansion in Yahaya Adoza Bello Fraud Trial
Fresh revelations emerged on Friday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court as proceedings continued in the alleged N110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
A prosecution witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, told the court how a luxury property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was allegedly acquired through dollar payments equivalent to N950 million.
Abdullahi, a legal practitioner with the Federal Capital Development Authority and the prosecution’s 15th witness, testified before Justice Maryanne Anineh that the property first came to his attention in January 2022 after a friend approached him to conduct due diligence on it before purchase.
“I picked a call from my friend who informed me that some agents introduced him to this property to sell and that I can conduct due diligence on it,” he told the court.
The witness explained that during the transaction process, he dealt with Ali Bello through Shehu Bello and later prepared the legal documentation connected to the property transfer.
According to him, although the purchase price was initially stated in naira, the actual payment was made in United States dollars equivalent to N950 million.
Abdullahi further disclosed that White Tree Nigeria Limited was presented to him as the assignee in the transaction.
“I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee. The power of attorney was also given to the same party,” he testified.
He added that the instruction to use White Tree Nigeria Limited came directly from Ali Bello.
“The person that gave me the name of White Tree Limited was Ali Bello,” he said.
The 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 N110.4 billion.
During cross-examination by lawyers representing the first and second defendants, Abdullahi confirmed that he had earlier testified before the Federal High Court and maintained that the instruction to carry out the transaction came from Shehu Bello.
Under further questioning by counsel to the third defendant, he also stated that he never met Abdulsalami Hudu at any point during the transaction.
The courtroom proceedings later shifted into intense legal arguments over several pending applications filed before the court.
Lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed Justice Anineh that the matter had previously been adjourned for rulings on pending applications and continuation of trial. He also revealed that the prosecution had served the third defendant with an application seeking suspension and stay of proceedings.
However, counsel to the third defendant, Z. E. Abbas, objected to the application being heard immediately, arguing that it was only served on him around 4 p.m. on Thursday and was therefore not ripe for hearing. He requested an adjournment until Tuesday.
Pinheiro opposed the request, insisting that the issues raised were substantially similar to applications already filed by the first and second defendants and should be heard together to save judicial time.
Abbas disagreed, maintaining that the applications were materially different and required separate consideration.
Justice Anineh subsequently ruled that the third defendant would move his application on the next adjourned date.
The prosecution also withdrew an earlier application dated May 6, 2026, after informing the court that it had already been argued. With no objection from the defence team, the court granted the withdrawal request.
Shortly afterward, Abbas moved another application challenging the jurisdiction of the court and urged Justice Anineh to strike out the trial entirely.
Responding on behalf of the prosecution, Adetokunbo argued that the application lacked legal merit and was fundamentally defective.
He maintained that the cases before the Federal High Court, which focus on money laundering allegations, are distinct from the charges before Justice Anineh involving criminal breach of trust.
“My lord, this shows that the foundation of the application is weak and must collapse,” he submitted.
After listening to arguments from both sides and with no re-examination of the witness, Justice Anineh discharged the prosecution witness from the stand.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until May 22, 2026, for rulings on the pending applications, while continuation of trial was fixed for June 16 and 17, 2026.
