The trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, resumed on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a witness recounting how a property in Wuse II was sold for ₦650 million.
Lawyer James Bem Igbakymeh, the 11th prosecution witness, told Justice Emeka Nwite that in October 2021, he was instructed to sell a property at Plot 1058, Wuse II. He said a man named Shehu Bello expressed interest, negotiated the price, and made payments through three accounts linked to the seller’s companies. The witness confirmed handing over property documents after payments were completed.
However, the Deed of Assignment showed the assignee as Ali Bello, whom Igbakymeh clarified was a separate individual who participated in negotiations alongside Shehu Bello. The court admitted the transaction documents as evidence.
The 12th prosecution witness, bureau de change operator Jamilu Abdullahi, described receiving large deposits from a client, Abba Adaudu, which he converted to foreign currency over 2021–2022. He testified that some transactions used his accounts but were not personally made by him.
Earlier, the court admitted documents related to another property sale in Gwarimpa II for ₦100 million. An accountant from Dantata and Sawoe Construction Limited confirmed the company-authorized assignments of documents to Azba Real Estate Limited but could not identify all signatories.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also filed an application to restrict Bello’s travel abroad due to fresh security concerns, which was opposed by the defence.
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to April 22–24 and May 6–7, 2026.