Witness: How I received N1bn from Bello’s nephew to renovate houses

The trial of Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman before Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja continued on Monday, July 15, 2024, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its seventh prosecution witness.

The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The witness, Aminu Rabiu, a businessman with Falala Construction and Interior Decoration Company, Abuja, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that he received money for the renovation of Bello’s houses from various people in cash instalments totalling more than N1,000,000,000.

He stated that the money was for the renovation of the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s houses located in Abuja and Kogi State.

Narrating how he met the former governor, the witness told the court that he met Bello through his wife, Amina Yahya Bello, in 2009.

Rabiu told the court that he knew Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman.

When asked by Oyedepo who the properties in question belong to, Rabiu stated that the properties belong to the former governor.

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He said the house he renovated at Life Camp belongs to the former governor.

The witness further disclosed that the money was paid in cash instalments, saying the least he received was N8 million from various people who made the payment for Yahaya Bello at No 9 Benghazi Street and sometimes at Life Camp in Ali Bello’s house.

Narrating the circumstances for the work and payment for the properties, the witness stated that he renovated the house at No 9 Benghazi Street in Abuja.

Rabiu said: “No 9 Benghazi, I renovated the house, furnishing and furniture. I was paid about N300 million, they paid me by cash, instalment.”

“At Jabi, I did renovations, finishing and polishing, I was paid around N200 million by cash instalments.”

“Life Camp, yes, I did furnishing and polishing. I can’t remember but it is around N200 million by cash.”

The witness informed the court that he is operating a bank account by which he receives money through his company’s name, Falala Construction.

While in Kogi State, the witness told the court that it was his company that demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge in the state and was paid more than N600 million.

Rabiu added: “I did one job for the state government. I demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge. I was paid around N600 million and there is a variation of above N100 million. The state government paid into my account.

“I also worked in Kogi State, Okene. I did renovation; I remodelled the house and the finishing. It was around N500 million. They paid me in cash. They were made in Abuja.”

Justice Omotosho, thereafter, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, July 16, for the continuation of trial.

The Star