Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: EFCC Presents First Witness against Yahaya Bello

Feb. 24, 2025

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, February 24, 2025 presented its first witness against a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Bello is facing a 19-count charge by the EFCC bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N80.2bn contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

The witness, Segun Joseph Abeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Adeleke, while being cross- examined by counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that he was into real estate and development of turnkey projects in places like Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, and some other locations in Abuja.

He told the court that, sometime in 2020, while he was in his office, his Chairman, Chief Dr. Fabian Nwora sent for him and introduced him to a young man by the name Shehu Bello on a particular property in questiion.