The ongoing alleged money laundering trial involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello took a new turn on Wednesday as a prosecution witness told the Federal High Court that the ex-governor was not involved in any of the property transactions forming part of the case.
The witness, Shehu Bello Bala, who appeared as the 17th prosecution witness, made the disclosure while being cross-examined by counsel to the defendants, Paul Daudu (SAN).
Bala stated that neither Yahaya Bello nor the second defendant participated in the property transactions under scrutiny, adding that one Farouk Bello acted as the agent in the deals.
Under cross-examination, the witness also confirmed that he was aware that title documents relating to the properties, including the deed of assignment and power of attorney, were eventually returned to Efab Estate by Farouk Bello.
He further clarified that he had no family relationship with either Ali Bello or Farouk Bello, whose names had featured in his earlier testimony. He also noted that he was not from Kogi State and had no familial ties to the former governor.
The witness, a commodity trader from Katsina State, told the court that he had known Ali Bello for about 14 years through business dealings.
Responding to questions from defence counsel, Bala explained that his relationship with Ali Bello was built around commodity trading, particularly the purchase and sale of agricultural produce.
“We traded in grains, ginger and other agricultural products sourced from the North. Those transactions took place around 2012 and 2013. I also know that he is involved in real estate,” he said.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, A.M. Aliyu (SAN), also questioned the witness about the transactions. Bala maintained that he did not know the third defendant and that the individual was not involved in the property deals.
He informed the court that Farouk Bello, whom he described as a friend of his father, had died before the title documents were returned to Efab Estate.
When asked whether Farouk Bello's children had sought to recover money tied to one of the properties after his death, the witness said he could not confirm the identity of the person who approached him regarding the sale of the property.
“Someone came to me with documents relating to the property and indicated an intention to sell it, but I cannot say whether the person was Farouk Bello’s son,” he told the court.
Bala said he subsequently returned the documents to the chairman of Efab Estate, adding that it was at that point that it became apparent that the property was under investigation.
According to him, the second property, which was not marked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was the one purchased by Farouk Bello.
During the proceedings, defence counsel attempted to question the witness on whether Ali Bello inherited the property from his mother. However, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), objected, arguing that the witness had not given evidence relating to inheritance.
Daudu, however, insisted that he was entitled to lay the foundation for the defence's case and was within his rights to explore the issue through cross-examination.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for the continuation of trial.
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