Segun Adeleke, a prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello, told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday that he had never met the ex-governor or had any transactions with him.
Adeleke, who is the general manager of EFAB Property Limited and the second prosecution witness (PW2), testified that neither Bello nor his co-defendants, Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, paid for any property through his company.
“This is the first time I am seeing His Excellency (Yahaya Bello) in person,” Adeleke said during cross-examination by J.B. Daudu, SAN, counsel to the first defendant.
“Although I have seen him on print and electronic media, I’ve never had any dealings with him,” he added.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the trio in connection with a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Adeleke told the court that the transaction in question was initiated by one Shehu Bello, who showed interest in the property and later paid ₦500 million.
He said the negotiations were originally handled by Fabian Nwora, chairman of EFAB Property and the first prosecution witness (PW1), but that he was later asked to conclude the process.
According to the witness, Shehu Bello later returned the signed agreement and indicated he was no longer interested in the property due to an EFCC investigation.
Nwora, in his earlier testimony, said none of the three defendants made any payment to EFAB, and that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in the transaction documents.
He also stated that while he knew Bello as a public figure, the former governor had no role in the property deal, which he began negotiating with Shehu Bello.
During further examination by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adeleke confirmed that documents relating to another property in Gwarinpa were issued to one Nuhu Muhammed, who bought a detached bungalow.
Daudu objected to the attempt to tender the documents, arguing that they lacked proper foundation. The objection was overruled by the court.
Under cross-examination, Adeleke admitted that he had testified on the same matter at the Federal High Court before Justice Emeka Nwite.
He conceded that he was brought into the transaction midway and did not initiate it.
He also admitted to inconsistencies in his testimony, stating at one point that payment was made in a single tranche, but later confirmed it was done in two installments.
“I have receipts, but I do not know who Nuhu Muhammed is,” he added.
In a related development, another witness, Williams Abimbola, tendered the Kogi State Government House account statement alongside a certificate of identification.
The defence said it would respond to the document at a later stage.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 8 and 9, and November 12 and 13, 2025, for continuation of trial.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
