I had no business dealings with ex-Governor Bello, witness tells court
A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he had no business dealings
A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he had no business dealings with the defendant.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds estimated at N80.2 billion.
The witness, Baba Bappa, who described himself as an estate surveyor and facility manager, said he only knew Bello as a public figure.
Bappa testified while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), as the 13th prosecution witness (PW13).
He said he had not met Ali Bello before the latter made enquiries about a property under his management.
The witness also recalled giving similar evidence before another court, although he could not remember which court it was.
Led in evidence earlier by prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinhero (SAN), Bappa spoke on a property located at Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, also known as Citi Scape Sharriff Plaza.
He said: “Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent is a plaza and number 13 is a shop in the plaza.”
Asked if he knew Ali Bello, the witness said Ali Bello was among those who made enquiries about shops in the plaza and later indicated interest in one of them.
According to him, after payment was made, Shop B13 was allocated to Ali Bello.
“He paid an initial deposit of N40 million. Later, he paid the balance of N26 million, including agency fees. A receipt was issued to him and Shop B13 was allocated to him,” Bappa said.
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Earlier, during cross-examination, the 12th prosecution witness (PW12), Jamilu Abdullahi, told the court he could not recall the evidence he gave in a related matter before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court.
Daudu referred the witness to page 72 of Exhibit 37, where his firm’s business was listed as “sales and supply of office equipment and stationery.”
The witness was also asked to identify where, in Exhibits 33(6) and 37, it was stated in the account opening documents that the funds to be deposited in the account would come from Bureau de Change (BDC) business.
Abdullahi said he could not confirm the authenticity of the document, adding that the handwritten portion differed from his handwriting.
He said only the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) could verify the document.
The witness added that he could confirm the authenticity of the handwritten section through the statement he made to the EFCC.
When asked to show where he informed the bank that he operated a BDC business, Abdullahi said he was unsure whether he disclosed that information.
Asked if he was a licensed BDC operator, he replied: “I am a licensed BDC operator. I am a director and you can confirm that through the CBN.”
He, however, said he could not recall when the licence was issued or whether it formed part of the documents submitted to the bank.
Abdullahi also admitted that his BDC licence was not among the documents before the court.
The witness confirmed that there was nowhere in his extra-judicial statement to the EFCC where he stated that he was a licensed BDC operator.
He said the omission might have “escaped his mind” while writing the statement.
Abdullahi denied suggestions that he deliberately omitted the information to avoid being charged for operating an unlicensed BDC business.
Daudu argued that the witness could not lawfully handle foreign currency inflows or transfers because he lacked a valid BDC licence, forcing him to use associates.
In response, Abdullahi said he outsourced some transactions because of their volume.
“For other smaller transactions that were within my capacity and the Nigerian transaction limit, we handled them through Nigerian bank accounts,” he said.
He also confirmed that the three accounts before the court - his personal account, E-Trader and KumfayaKum - were naira-denominated.
Another prosecution witness, Shehu Bello, later testified as PW14.
He described himself as a real estate agent and commodity trader.
The witness said the EFCC invited him in 2023 in connection with Ali Bello, whom he described as his friend.
He added that he had previously done business with Ali Bello in commodities and real estate.
On the property at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, Shehu Bello said he bought it for himself before later selling it to Ali Bello.
He also told the court that one Farouk Bello asked him to source two properties for purchase in Wuse Zone 4 and Maitama.
According to the witness, the owner of the property bought by Farouk Bello was Chief Nwora of Efab Properties.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned further proceedings till May 7.
