Yahaya Bello property deal trial hears evidence over alleged N950m Maitama property purchase paid in US dollars

A prosecution witness on Friday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was allegedly purchased for the naira equivalent of N950 million paid in United States dollars in the ongoing Yahaya Bello property deal trial.

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The witness, Ramalan Abdullahi, testified before Justice Maryanne Anineh during proceedings involving former Yahaya Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and alleged money laundering amounting to N110.4bn.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, the witness told the court that he was contacted in January 2022 by a friend who requested that he conduct due diligence on the Maitama property.

“I picked a call from my friend who informed me that some agents introduced him to this property to sell and that I can conduct due diligence on it,” Abdullahi said.

When asked who he dealt with regarding the transaction, the witness replied, “Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The payment of the property was in naira. Paid in dollars equivalent to 950 million naira.”

Abdullahi further testified that he prepared and transferred title documents connected to the property transaction.

“I was given a name White Tree Nigerian Limited as the assignee. I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited,” he told the court.

According to the witness, the instruction to use White Tree Nigeria Limited came directly from Ali Bello.

“The person that gave me the name of White Tree Limited was Ali Bello,” he added.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya, the witness confirmed that he had previously testified before the Federal High Court and acknowledged receiving instructions through Shehu Bello.

Under questioning by counsel to the third defendant, Z. E. Abbas, Abdullahi stated that he never met Abdulsalami Hudu.

Earlier in the proceedings, Pinheiro informed the court that the prosecution had served the third defendant with an application seeking suspension and stay of proceedings.

Abbas opposed the immediate hearing of the application, arguing that it was served late on Thursday and required additional time for response.

Pinheiro, however, maintained that the issues raised were substantially similar to applications already filed by the first and second defendants.

Justice Anineh subsequently ruled that the third defendant could move the application at the next adjourned sitting.

The court also granted the prosecution’s request to withdraw an earlier application dated May 6, 2026, after no objection was raised by defence counsel.

Also read: Yahaya Bello trial exposes massive cash diversions

The Yahaya Bello property deal trial remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corruption cases, with proceedings continuing amid intensified scrutiny of high-value property acquisitions and alleged financial transactions linked to public office holders.