A prosecution witness in the alleged N80.2bn money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja how Ali Bello allegedly made cash payments amounting to millions of naira for the construction of a Maitama property.
NAIJAONPOINT , Shehu Bello, who testified as the 14th prosecution witness before Justice Emeka Nwite, said he was aware of cash payments of N9m, N8.5m, and N5.8m allegedly made in connection with the project located at Plot 1891, Dala Hills, Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello over alleged money laundering involving N80,246,470,088.88.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for continuation of examination-in-chief of NAIJAONPOINT and thereafter allowed Olukayode Enitan (SAN) to lead him in evidence.
While testifying, Shehu Bello explained how he became involved in the Maitama property project.
“My friend, Ali Bello, approached me to ask if I knew any good construction company that could build a house for him.
“So I recommended a company, Metro Deck Construction Company Limited. I brought them, and he gave them the job to build the house for him,” he told the court.
Asked how payments were made to the construction company, NAIJAONPOINT said both transfers and cash were used.
“Ali Bello made transfers to them, and on some occasions, he paid them in cash,” he said.
When questioned about the currency used for the cash transactions, NAIJAONPOINT said the payments were made in naira.
“The ones that I am aware of: N9m, N8.5m and N5.8m. These are the only three cash payments I am aware of,” he added.
NAIJAONPOINT also testified about another property located at Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse II, Abuja, which he said was acquired after Ali Bello requested assistance in sourcing land for commercial development.
“My friend, Ali Bello, asked me if I could get him a property around Wuse II where he could build shops.
“After we spoke, I went out and got some people and spoke with some colleagues of mine.
“We got a plot of land in that location, Durban Street, Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse II, Abuja,” he said.
According to NAIJAONPOINT , the property was purchased from SFC Foods Limited for N650m through bank transfer.
“It was bought from SFC Foods Limited. The amount paid was N650m. The payment was made via bank transfer,” he stated.
The proceedings later shifted to legal arguments after the prosecution sought to tender NAIJAONPOINT ’s extra-judicial statements made to the EFCC.
When asked if he recalled making statements during investigation, NAIJAONPOINT responded in the affirmative and identified the documents shown to him in court.
“Yes, it is my statement. It carries my signatures on all pages,” he said.
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