Ahmed Abubakar, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before a federal high court in Abuja on Monday, on how funds were allegedly diverted from the Kogi state government house administration account to purchase high-end properties in the federal capital territory (FCT).
Abubakar, appearing as principal witness 17 (PW17) in the trial of Ali Bello, chief of staff to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and nephew of former Governor Yahaya Bello, revealed how Bello allegedly misappropriated a staggering N10,270,556,800.
Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalami Hudu (the latter currently at large), is facing a 16-count amended charge related to money laundering and misappropriation of funds.
Abubakar outlined specific instances where Bello allegedly used state funds for personal gain:
N900 million for property acquisition: Bello reportedly used N900 million to purchase a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, known as Spring Hall School. The funds were allegedly withdrawn from the Kogi state treasury and converted to foreign currency via a bureau de change operator, Rabiu Tafada.
N920 million for another property in Asokoro: Abubakar revealed that Bello allegedly used N920 million to acquire a property at No. 2 Justice Chukwudi (Oguta) Street, Asokoro. The transaction was allegedly brokered by former Governor Yahaya Bello and involved “in-kind” payment with a loan repayment account created for the transaction.
N170 million for property in Wuse Zone 4: The witness also disclosed that N170 million was used to acquire a property on Marsin Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, in a deal brokered by Bello and his associate, Murtala Maigari. The payment was allegedly made partly in cash and partly through conversion to U.S. dollars.
Other properties detailed in the investigation include a property at No. 1773 Guzape Street, No. 176, Plot 4882, Lome Street, Wuse, and Plot 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, all allegedly funded by withdrawals from the Kogi state government house administration account.
Abubakar further testified that similar misappropriation had occurred in the renovation of the former governor’s family house.
The trial has been adjourned to February 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 2026, for further proceedings.
