Ali Bello abandons Abuja property purchase amid EFCC probe- Witness

Stanley Ihedigbo

Tenth Prosecution Witness (PW10), Fabian Nwaora in the trial of Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho that investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), forced Bello to withdraw from acquiring an Abuja property, located on No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District and asked for a refund of N550million he paid.

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman on a 10-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3billion.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness who sold the property to Ali Bello stated that upon being aware that the property had come under EFCC’s investigation, the defendant came to him asking for a refund.

“We didn’t know the matter had been investigated until Bello got back to me and said the property he bought had a problem, that the case is before EFCC. I said ‘Okay what do you want us to do’, he said he wanted me to give him the money back and collect my house. I sought the approval of my lawyer. My lawyer said since the matter is being investigated by the EFCC we cannot do so, because he knew we would be invited by the EFCC. When the EFCC invited us, we explained and they said the matter was under investigation and that we should return the money that they paid to us and take back my house that they wanted to recover the money,” he said.

Further in his testimony, he stated that the EFCC informed them that the defendant was under investigation and ordered them to return the money paid on the property and retake possession of it because the Commission was on a mission to recover money from the defendant.

“We made arrangements and returned the money to EFCC, they said we should take our house back. There was an account number that they gave to us and I think it was a federal government account. The first batch was N4000m and the second batch was N150m. The account they gave us I know is from the federal government and is for recovery purposes.

“We paid it in Naira because when they brought dollars to my manager I was not around and, I think he called the bureau de change and changed the money to Naira. That is what we received and then returned the money in Naira,” he said.

During his cross-examination by counsel to the defendants, the witness confirmed that the property sold was located at No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till April 14 and May 7 and 9 2025 for continuation of trial.