A prosecution witness and operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, has testified before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on how hundreds of millions of naira allegedly diverted from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account were used to purchase luxury properties in prime areas of the Federal Capital Territory.
The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and nephew of former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, on a 16-count amended charge alongside Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalami Hudu, the former cashier of the Government House Administration Account, who is currently at large.
The defendants are accused of misappropriation and money laundering involving ₦10.27 billion, allegedly withdrawn from the Kogi State treasury and handed to an Abuja-based Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada, for safekeeping or conversion into foreign currency for personal use.
At the resumed hearing, Abubakar told the court that Ali Bello allegedly used ₦900 million to purchase a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, currently occupied by Spring Hall School. According to him, the property—owned by a serving lawmaker from Bauchi State—was sold through a lawyer, Barrister Ramalan, who acted on the instructions of the first defendant.
He said payment for the property was made in cash at a Bureau de Change office in Zone 4, Abuja, after converting the naira equivalent into dollars, adding that investigations showed the funds were withdrawn at different times from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
When shown Exhibit H by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness identified it as a Deed of Assignment between Pauchi Ventures Nigeria Limited and Y3 Nigeria Limited, explaining that Y3 Nigeria Limited was the company provided by Ali Bello to his lawyer for the transaction.
Addressing count four of the charge, Oyedepo alleged that Ali Bello used ₦920 million—funds he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of unlawful activity—to acquire a property at No. 2 Justice Chukwudi (also known as Oguta) Street, Asokoro, Abuja. Abubakar confirmed that the EFCC traced the property during investigations.
He testified that the transaction was brokered by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who negotiated with a contractor friend who had recently acquired the property through Wastle Motors, owned by Alhaji Sa’id Dantsoho. The property was sold at its acquisition price, with payment structured “in kind” following assurances of future patronage by the former governor.
An account was provided for loan repayments, into which multiple cash deposits from Lokoja and transfers from Rabiu Tafada’s Bureau de Change—including through his company, Busynet—were made. The witness said all such transfers were carried out on the instruction of Ali Bello. As of March 21, 2018, the total loan facility stood at ₦808.7 million.
Abubakar further disclosed that on April 8, 2020, several individuals made cash deposits at Access Bank’s Lokoja branch toward servicing the loan, listing 28 separate cash payments ranging from ₦3.65 million to ₦9.6 million. He confirmed that all payments were made in cash and that the funds originated from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
On count five, the witness testified that ₦170 million was used to purchase a property on Marsin Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, directly behind the residence of former Governor Yahaya Bello at No. 9 Benghazi Street. He said the funds were withdrawn from the same government account and that the transaction was brokered by Ali Bello and his late Bureau de Change associate, Murtala Maigari. Of the total sum, ₦100 million was paid into the seller’s account, while ₦70 million was converted to US dollars.
On count six, Abubakar stated that ₦100 million was used to acquire a property at No. 1773 Guzape Street, Abuja, through a Bureau de Change, with the funds traced to the Government House Administration Account. He also confirmed, under count seven, the purchase of another property at No. 176, Plot 4882, Lome Street, Wuse, Abuja, funded from the same source.
Addressing count eight, the witness said ₦66 million was paid in cash for a property at Plot 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, using funds withdrawn from the Government House Administration Account, stressing that the purchase was not made on behalf of the Kogi State Government.
Abubakar had earlier testified on how large sums were allegedly moved from the Government House Administration Account and security votes to acquire properties and renovate the family residence of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to February 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
