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Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Admits Account of American International School as Exhibit Against Yahaya Bello

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, February 24, 2025, presented its first set of witnesses in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. This trial revolves around an alleged fraud amounting to N80.2 billion, with Bello facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

The charges are said to breach Section 18(a) and are punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. As part of the prosecution’s case, the EFCC presented various exhibits, including the statement of account and account opening package for the American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering the period from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These documents were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, with the statement of account being marked as Exhibits 621-622.

The first witness called to testify was Segun Joseph Adeleke, the General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited. Under the examination of the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adeleke confirmed the purchase of a property located at House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, by one Nuhu Mohammed for the sum of N70 million. The payment was made via a bank transfer, and EFAB Properties issued the relevant documentation, including proof of payment and allocation letters.

Further inquiries by the EFCC’s counsel revealed that EFAB Properties had also received N550 million for another transaction. Adeleke explained that EFAB Properties followed its standard procedure in processing the transaction, with documents signed by the company’s Chairman.

When asked if he could identify the source of the N70 million payment, Adeleke admitted that he did not know where the funds originated. During cross-examination by defense counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Adeleke clarified that he had acted on instructions from his Chairman and had no personal involvement in initiating the transactions. He also confirmed that he had not been directly involved in the financial operations of the company.

Adeleke testified that EFAB Properties had dealt with another property located in Ikogosi, which was partitioned into two sections, labeled 1A and 3B. He noted that the company used plot numbers for documentation purposes instead of house numbers or street names. However, when asked about the sale of the Ikogosi property, Adeleke confirmed that Shehu Bello, a person connected to the case, purchased one of the plots. However, he was unable to recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction.

He further testified that legal documents for the transaction were signed by EFAB Properties’ Chairman and handed over to Shehu Bello for his signature, but those signed documents were never returned to EFAB Properties. Despite the involvement of Shehu Bello, Adeleke stated that he had never seen Yahaya Bello or any of his associates involved in these property transactions. Additionally, when asked if Yahaya Bello’s name appeared on any of the title documents for the properties, Adeleke confirmed that Bello’s name did not appear.

Following Adeleke’s testimony, the EFCC called its second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) stationed at Area 3, Garki, Abuja. Abimbola confirmed that he had received a subpoena from the EFCC, and he presented a copy of the subpoena in court. The document was admitted as Exhibit 1, with no objection from the defense.

Abimbola also provided the court with important banking documents related to Kogi State Government. These included the statement of account and account opening package for the Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, covering the period from January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. These documents were admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.

Further, the EFCC presented the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering the period from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. As mentioned earlier, these documents were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622.

Following the admission of these exhibits, the court adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings. The case is likely to see more witnesses and documentation presented in the coming months as the EFCC attempts to build its case against Yahaya Bello.

The trial of Yahaya Bello represents one of the highest-profile cases in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption and money laundering. The prosecution’s case against Bello includes allegations of criminal breach of trust and the movement of vast sums of money through various financial institutions. The EFCC’s presentation of evidence, including banking statements, property transactions, and the testimony of witnesses, highlights the intricate web of financial dealings alleged to have taken place during Bello’s tenure as Governor of Kogi State.

If convicted, Bello faces significant legal penalties, including imprisonment and possible asset forfeiture, under Nigeria’s stringent anti-money laundering laws. The case underscores the growing focus on high-profile political figures and the ongoing work of the EFCC in investigating and prosecuting corruption at the highest levels of government.

The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is a key case in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, with the EFCC presenting significant evidence to support its allegations of fraud and money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. As the case progresses, the court will hear more witnesses and examine additional evidence, with the potential for further revelations about the financial activities of Bello and his associates. The next adjournment of the trial in March will likely bring further developments as the prosecution seeks to prove its case in the coming months.

Excerpt from EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, February 24, 2025, presented its first round of witnesses in the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Also presented was the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. The charges are in violation of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

The EFCC’s first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified under examination by the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

During questioning, Adeleke confirmed that a property located at House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million. He explained that the payment was made via bank transfer and that his company issued relevant documents, including proof of payment and allocation letters.

Further inquiries revealed that EFAB Properties received N550 million for another transaction. Adeleke stated that the company followed its standard procedure in processing the transaction, including documents signed by its Chairman.

When asked whether he could identify the origin of the N70 million transfer, Adeleke admitted he did not know its source.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, Adeleke confirmed that he acted on instructions from his Chairman and had no personal involvement in initiating the transactions.

Regarding a separate property in Ikogosi, he clarified that the land had one Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and was partitioned into two sections labeled 1A and 3B. He stated that his company did not use house numbers or street names but rather plot numbers for documentation purposes.

Adeleke also testified that Shehu Bello purchased one of the properties but could not recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction. He stated that legal documents were signed by the company’s Chairman and given to Bello for his signature, but the signed copies were never returned to EFAB Properties.

When asked whether Bello’s name appeared in any title documents or if he ever saw him during the transactions, Adeleke answered in the negative.

Following Adeleke’s testimony, the EFCC called its second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), stationed at Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

Abimbola confirmed receiving a subpoena from the EFCC and presented a copy in court. The document was admitted as Exhibit 1 without objection from the defence.

The prosecution also tendered the statement of account and account opening package for Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, covering January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024. The document was admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.

Additionally, the EFCC presented the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622.

Following the admission of these exhibits, the court adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.

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