The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday rescheduled the trial in the alleged money laundering case against Yahaya Bello, the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, for April 3, 24, and May 6, 2024.

Justice Maryann Anenih delayed the case for further proceedings after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was asked to testify.

When the case was called for hearing, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call that day. However, Justice Maryann Anenih stated that she could only take one witness since she had other issues scheduled.

The court also announced that it will not meet tomorrow (Thursday), as initially scheduled.

Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the 2nd Defendant’s comments under oath available to the defense team.

He acknowledged that the first defendant had not yet made a statement.

Daudu, SAN, also objected to the prosecution’s witness, claiming that the defendants were unfamiliar with him and were now seeing him in court for the first time.

Citing sources, he highlighted that court processes should not be a “hide and seek” game, and that the prosecution was compelled to submit the witnesses’ sworn statements in advance so that the defense could appropriately prepare for cross-examination.

“The second defendant’s statements have not been served on us, so we do not know whether we will be able to represent him.

“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the housekeeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.

Corroborating this, Counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “Mine is not a comment but an observation, my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”

When the judge asked if he had previously requested the statements, Aliyu SAN said he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.

He stated, “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of the recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert, if any.

“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Comm of Police.”

The Prosecution, however, disagreed, saying the Defendants were trying to delay the speedy trial.

He insisted that the proof of evidence had been served on the defendants on November 27.

“The constitutional provision, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.

“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defense with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.

He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed with the business for the day.

“As it is, we have almost utilized more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.

The judge asked the Defendant’s Counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.

Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.

“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defense,” Counsel for the 3rd Defendant said.

The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.

The Prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited.

Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.

However, throughout his submission in court on Wednesday, he didn’t mention the name of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr. Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC. He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550 million that was paid.

Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello. The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches.

Since then, Nwora said he had not had any contact with Shehu Bello or Dr. Bello Ohiani until December 2024, when the EFCC summoned them to court to testify as witnesses in the case related to their transaction with Shehu Bello.

The court, after listening to the witness, adjourned the case to 3rd and 24th April and 6th May, 2025, for continuation of hearing.