The 13th prosecution witness (PW13) in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Wednesday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he had no business dealings on any property with the former governor.
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The witness, Baba Isa Usman Bappa, an estate surveyor and facility manager, testified on a property transaction on Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, also known as Cityscape Shariff Plaza.
Bappa told the court that Ali Bello purchased a shop in the plaza, adding that he paid an initial deposit of N40 million and later paid the balance of N26 million, including agency fees. A receipt was issued to him and he was allocated Shop B13.
The witness added that the payment was made into the account of Shariff Plaza Management and Facility Company and confirmed under cross-examination that the buyer took possession of the property.
The witness admitted that he only knew the former governor as a public figure, not in relation to the property transaction before the court.
Earlier, the prosecution lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, during the examination-in-chief, asked the witness to tell the court what he knew about a property on Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, also known as Cityscape Shariff Plaza.
Responding, the witness said: “Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent is a plaza and number 13 is a shop in the plaza.”
When asked whether he knew Ali Bello, Bappa said he was one of those who came to make enquiries at the plaza and that he indicated interest in one of the shops.
After making payment, the PW13 said a shop was allocated to him, a receipt was issued, and he was assigned Shop B13.
During cross-examination, the witness said he had not met Ali Bello before until he came to make enquiries about the property.
He also stated that he had given similar evidence in another court but could not recall which court it was.
In his evidence, the 14th prosecution witness (PW14), Shehu Bello, told Justice Emeka Nwite that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja, was purchased for N550 million and paid for in United States dollars cash.
The former governor is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an alleged money laundering charge to the tune of N80.2 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Olukayode Enitan SAN, Bello, a real estate agent and commodity trader, said the transaction was carried out on behalf of his client, Dr Faruk Bello.
“We agreed N550 million, but it was paid in U.S. dollars in cash. I was also paid my commission in cash,” the witness told the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.
The witness further disclosed that he facilitated the purchase of another property for the same client at Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, for N105 million, which was paid via bank transfer to the seller.
Bello also told the court that he had previous business dealings with Ali Bello, describing him as a friend with whom he had done some commodity and property business in the past.
He revealed that he sold his personal property located on Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, to Ali Bello for N68 million, having earlier purchased it for N63 million, and added that he assisted in sourcing a buyer for another property in Guzape on behalf of Ali Bello.
While the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statement of the witness made to the EFCC, defence counsel Joseph Daudu SAN objected, describing it as a cautionary statement and therefore inadmissible.
In a bid to avoid delay in proceedings, the prosecution withdrew the document and proceeded.
Also testifying earlier was PW12, Jamilu Abdullahi, a bureau de change operator, who was cross-examined on his previous testimony before another court regarding a $300,000 transaction allegedly conducted for school fees payment to the American International School.
When asked whether he still stood by the earlier testimony, the witness said: “My Lord, the answer is a little more than yes or no. When I explain, I will then answer.”
The prosecution, through its lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro SAN, objected to the defence’s insistence on a direct answer, arguing that the witness should be allowed to explain, noting that “He cannot be confined, there’s no law that compels him to answer a question. A witness can keep mute. Muteness is an answer.”
The witness told the court that he could not fully recall the details, as “it has been a long time,” and confirmed that E-traders was his company, while denying any suggestion that he feared being charged by the EFCC for operating an unlicensed bureau de change.
“I am a licensed Bureau de Change operator,” he told the court before he was discharged.
The court adjourned further trial in the matter to 7 May 2026.
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