A prosecution witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, has told the FCT High Court Maitama how a luxury property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was allegedly purchased for about ₦950 million paid in United States dollars in the ongoing trial linked to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) legal practitioner said he conducted due diligence on the property in 2022 after being contacted by a friend. He told the court that the transaction involved Ali Bello and Shehu Bello, and that the property was eventually assigned to White Tree Nigeria Limited, allegedly on instructions from Ali Bello. According to him, the payment was made in dollars equivalent to ₦950 million.
The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, involves a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering totalling ₦110.4 billion.
The witness was cross-examined by defence lawyers, while the court adjourned further proceedings to allow hearing of pending applications in the ongoing trial.
