Abuja, February 24, 2025 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a decisive step forward in its investigation of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, presenting its first witnesses in a landmark trial addressing allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling N80.2 billion. The proceedings, which resumed on Monday, February 24, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, underscore Nigeria’s intensified campaign against corruption among its political elite and signal a critical juncture in the nation’s anti-graft efforts.
Background of the Case
Yahaya Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, faces a 19-count charge brought by the EFCC, alleging violations of Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended). The accusations center on Bello’s alleged misuse of public funds during his tenure, involving a complex web of financial transactions, property acquisitions, and transfers that the EFCC claims were designed to launder N80.2 billion in state resources for personal and political gain. This trial, closely watched by the public, activists, and international observers, represents one of the most significant corruption cases in Nigeria’s recent history, given the scale of the alleged fraud and Bello’s high-profile status.
The case has been marred by delays and legal wrangling since its inception. Bello’s initial reluctance to appear in court, coupled with challenges to the EFCC’s jurisdiction and arrest warrants, has drawn criticism and fueled public debate about the enforcement of anti-corruption laws against powerful figures. However, today’s proceedings mark a pivotal moment, with the EFCC moving forward to substantiate its claims through witness testimony and documentary evidence.
Court Proceedings: First Witnesses Take the Stand
The EFCC, led by Senior Advocate Kemi Pinheiro, presented two key witnesses to lay the foundation for its case. The first, Segun Joseph Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, provided detailed testimony about transactions linked to properties allegedly purchased with misappropriated funds. Adeleke confirmed that his company sold a property at House 12, 59 Crescent, Fifth Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, to one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million, with payment executed via bank transfer. He also disclosed that EFAB Properties received N550 million for another transaction, following standard company procedures, including documentation signed by its Chairman, Chief Dr. Fabian Nwora.
However, a critical gap emerged during cross-examination by Bello’s defense counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN. Adeleke admitted he could not trace the source of the N70 million transfer, a pivotal piece of evidence for the EFCC’s money laundering allegations. He further clarified that he acted solely on instructions from his Chairman and had no personal role in initiating the transactions, distancing himself—and potentially the company—from direct knowledge of the funds’ origins. Adeleke also testified about a separate property in Ikogosi, explaining that it was partitioned into plots with a single Certificate of Occupancy, documented only by plot numbers rather than house addresses. He confirmed that Shehu Bello purchased one of the properties but could not recall the dollar equivalent of the N550 million transaction, and notably, Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any title documents or during the transactions, raising questions about direct links to the former governor.
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) stationed in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, provided financial documentation critical to the EFCC’s case. Abimbola confirmed receiving a subpoena from the EFCC and presented bank statements and account opening packages, which were admitted as exhibits without objection from the defense. These included:
- The statement of account and account opening package for the Kogi State Government House Account No. 1003889575, covering January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024, admitted as Exhibits 2P1 to P61.
- The statement of account and account opening package for the American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020, admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, with the statement of account marked as Exhibits 621-622.
These financial records are central to the EFCC’s allegations, suggesting that public funds were diverted through state accounts and used for personal expenditures, including paying school fees for Bello’s children in advance, as previously highlighted by the commission.
Legal and Public Context
The trial’s resumption comes amid heightened security measures, with EFCC operatives and other security forces deployed around the Federal High Court in Abuja. While intended to ensure order, these measures have sparked controversy, with activists like Omoyele Sowore accusing security agents of obstructing justice by harassing individuals, including lawyers and observers, at the court premises. This has fueled broader debates about the balance between state power and legal accountability, with critics arguing that such actions undermine transparency in high-profile corruption cases.
The public’s attention remains riveted on Bello’s trial, given the enormity of the alleged fraud and its implications for Nigeria’s fight against corruption. Previous EFCC cases against political figures, such as former Delta State Governor James Ibori and former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, have often ended in inconclusive outcomes or light penalties, raising skepticism about the agency’s ability to secure convictions against powerful individuals. Today’s proceedings, however, demonstrate the EFCC’s determination to build a robust case, potentially setting a precedent for future anti-corruption efforts.
Defense Strategy and Future Expectations
Bello’s defense, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, continues to challenge the EFCC’s approach, questioning the court’s jurisdiction and the validity of evidence presented. During today’s hearing, Daudu’s cross-examination of Adeleke sought to highlight the lack of direct evidence linking Yahaya Bello to the transactions, emphasizing that Bello’s name does not appear in key documents. This strategy aims to cast doubt on the prosecution’s narrative and could lead to further legal battles over the admissibility of evidence and the interpretation of financial trails.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to March 6 and 7, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings, indicating that additional witnesses and evidence are expected. The EFCC is likely to call more financial experts, bank officials, and potentially individuals directly involved in the transactions to strengthen its case. Analysts suggest that the commission will need to establish a clear chain of custody for the alleged N80.2 billion, linking Bello directly to the funds through bank statements, property acquisitions, and other financial instruments.
Implications
This trial occurs against the backdrop of Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption crusade, led by the EFCC under Chairman Ola Olukoyede. Recent developments, such as the $81.5 billion lawsuit against cryptocurrency exchange Binance for tax evasion and money laundering, highlight the agency’s aggressive stance on financial crimes. However, the outcome of Bello’s case will be a litmus test for the EFCC’s credibility and effectiveness, particularly in prosecuting high-ranking political figures.
Public and international scrutiny is intense, with civil society organizations, legal experts, and foreign governments watching closely. A transparent and decisive verdict could bolster confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary and anti-corruption framework, while any perceived leniency or procedural mishandling could further erode trust. Historical cases, such as those involving James Ibori, where judicial impropriety or insufficient evidence led to acquittals, underscore the challenges the EFCC faces in securing convictions against politically connected individuals.
Conclusion
As the trial of Yahaya Bello progresses, the EFCC’s presentation of its first witnesses signals a determined effort to unravel an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering scheme. With financial records from the American International School and property transactions under scrutiny, the coming hearings will be crucial in determining whether the commission can establish a direct link between Bello and the misappropriated funds. The adjournment to March 2025 sets the stage for a prolonged legal battle, with implications for Nigeria’s fight against corruption, public trust in its institutions, and the accountability of its political leaders. The EFCC remains committed to upholding the rule of law, but the road ahead promises to be fraught with legal, political, and public challenges.
