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‘How Kogi gov’s aide diverted state’s funds to acquire property in Abuja,’ EFCC’s witness tells court
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An official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ahmed Abubakar, gave details of how Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to the current Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, allegedly diverted the state’s funds to acquire property in Anuja.
Abubakar, an investigator with the EFCC, said most payments for the property located in many parts of Abuja were purchased with Kogi State’s funds warehoused with bureau de change operators in Abuja.
He spoke while testifying on Monday as the 17th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Bello and his associate, Dauda Suleiman, for allegedly laundering about N10nillion.
Led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Abubakar, who read from several documents already tendered in court, gave details of how funds were allegedly withdrawn from the Kogi Government House Administration’s accounts in Zenith Bank and UBA.
He said on 20th April 2021, N100million was withdrawn from the UBA account of the Govt House account, while on April 21, 2021, one Abdulsalam Hudu withdrew N90m from the same account, who also withdrew N50m from the account on April 22, 2021.
The witness said the source of the money, which was later warehoused with BDC operators in Abuja, was the Kogi State Govt House Administration’s accounts.
Abubakar said the investigation did not reveal that the BDC operators had a contract with the Kogi State Government or that they were helping the state to coordinate some projects.
The witness also said the property allegedly bought in Abuja with the funds was not purchased on behalf of Kogi State or any of its agencies.
Abubakar confirmed that the two defendants were alleged, count one of the charge on which they are standing trial, to have conspired to launder about N80b.
He said as alleged in count two, Bello (the first defendant) acquired a property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja at N900m.
The witness said the property used to be owned by a House of Representatives member from Bauchi State and that the property was paid for in the dollar equivalent of the N900m in cash in the office of a BDC operator in Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja.
Abubakar said the money was part of all the withdrawals from the account of the Kogi government house.
He said the investigation revealed that the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, used N920m to acquire a property at No 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa St, Asokoro, Abuja, which was paid for with the state’s funds
The witness said the property was earlier bought by Yahaya Bello’s friend, a car dealer, whose company is West Wood Motors Limited, from whom the ex-Governor bought while in office and made payment over time, through cash deposits from Lokoja.
The witness said the defendants also bought a property at 170m on Masini Street, Wuse Zone 4, which is directly behind the house of the former Governor, which is on Benghazi Street.
PW17 said the property was bought in cash from the former owner, a former prison official, identified as Ishaya Adamu Jagaba.
Abubakar said the investigation revealed that the N100m allegedly used by the first defendant to buy a property at 1773 Guzape Street, Abuja, was part of the funds handed to the BDCs after withdrawals from the Kogi State Govt House Administration’s accounts.
He confirmed that the investigation revealed that the defendants aided in the use of N110m to acquire a property in Lome St, Wuse, Abuja, and another property situated at Aminu Kanu Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, which was acquired at N66m.
The witness said the defendants used N375 million to renovate a property located at 6 Dala Hills. He, however, said that the investigation did not reveal how the property was acquired because the investigators could not locate the old owner.
Further hearing in the case resumes on February 16 before Justice James Omotosho.
Yaya Bauchi Tongo, a member of House of Representatives representing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State is dead.
Rep Tongo died in Abuja on Friday following a brief illness, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akintude Rotimi said in a statement quoting the Gombe State Caucus of the House of Representatives.
While paying tribute to the late lawmaker, Rotimi said his death marked the end of a distinguished life devoted to public service and the advancement of his constituents, Gombe State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Rep. Tongo was a dedicated public servant, seasoned grassroots politician, and committed legislator whose life was marked by unwavering service to his people and the nation,” Rotimi said.
The deceased lawmaker served as Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area, Special Adviser to the Government of Gombe State, and Member of the Gombe State House of Assembly before his election into House of Representatives.
He was Chairman of the Nigeria–United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives.
“A respected voice within the Parliament and a passionate advocate for the welfare and development of his constituents, Hon. Tongo brought wisdom, experience, and a deep understanding of governance to legislative deliberations. His contributions to nation-building and democratic development will remain an enduring part of his legacy.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, the leadership, and the entire membership of the House, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, and the Government and people of Gombe State on this painful loss.
“As we mourn the passing of our dear colleague, we pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus. We also pray that Allah (SWT) grants his family, loved ones, constituents, and colleagues the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Rotimi said.
He added that further details regarding parliamentary tributes and funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
A member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna North and Chairman, Committee on Banking Regulations, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has disclosed that his father, Nasir El-Rufai’s continued detention shows that Nigeria’s democratic journey is far from complete.
Bello noted that democracy can only thrive in Nigeria when the country’s leadership is accountable.
El-Rufai has been in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since he was arrested at the Abuja airport earlier in the year.
The commission had arraigned him for corruption while he was governor of Kaduna State.
However, posting on X, Bello wrote: “Today, we celebrate the enduring strength of our democracy and the collective voice of the Nigerian people. Democracy thrives when leadership is accountable, citizens are empowered, and every voice is heard.
“As we commemorate this important day, we must also acknowledge that while our democracy continues to endure, the abuse of citizens’ rights remains a troubling reality.
“The true test of any democracy is not simply the conduct of elections, but its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
“The continued unlawful detention of my father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alongside the experiences of many other Nigerians who have faced similar violations, serves as a reminder that our democratic journey is far from complete.
“On this Democracy Day, let us recommit ourselves to building a nation where justice prevails, institutions are strengthened, and the rights of every citizen are respected and protected.”
The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amid recent crises in the party.
Dickson made this known in a statement on his official X handle, revealing that the meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was attended by Obi and other senior party leaders.
“I just received my brother, colleague, and partner in the New Nigerian Project, His Excellency Mr Peter Gregory Obi, CON, our presidential candidate, who, together with some distinguished leaders of our party, held a closed-door meeting which lasted about three hours.
“In the course of that meeting, we reviewed the activities of our party and discussed a few recent issues that have been a source of concern to all sides, and we amicably resolved all the issues.
“We have always been on the same page on the bigger picture, i.e., winning the elections for all candidates of our party and rescuing Nigeria from the misgovernance of the APC-led government. However, a few issues have arisen, and we have agreed on how to handle them moving forward.
“I want to use this opportunity again to call on all members of our party to stop the bickering and name-calling and focus on the bigger picture.
“Both His Excellency Peter Obi and I, as well as other leaders and stakeholders of our party, will continue to consult and engage with one another to address and resolve concerns, strengthen the unity and cohesion of our party, and ensure that we remain focused on our shared mission of rescuing Nigeria and building a better future for all.”
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