EFCC Witness Reveals How Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Funds Were Used to Buy Abuja Properties
EFCC Witness Reveals How Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Funds Were Used to Buy Abuja Properties
A prosecution witness on Monday told the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, how billions of naira allegedly diverted from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account were used to acquire luxury properties across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The witness, Deputy Superintendent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), DCE Ahmed Audu Abubakar, testified before Justice James Omotosho in the ongoing trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and nephew of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Ali Bello is standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalami Hudu (now at large) on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering of ₦10.27 billion.
According to the EFCC, the funds were allegedly withdrawn from the Kogi State treasury and routed through a Bureau de Change operator in Abuja for conversion into foreign currencies and acquisition of high-end properties.
₦900m Maitama Property
The witness disclosed that ₦900 million was allegedly used to purchase a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, through cash payments converted into dollars at a Bureau de Change in Zone 4, Abuja.
He stated that the transaction was facilitated by a lawyer engaged by Ali Bello, and that the funds originated from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
₦920m Asokoro Property
Abubakar further revealed that ₦920 million was allegedly used to acquire another property at No. 2 Justice Chukwudi (Oguta) Street, Asokoro, a deal reportedly brokered by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
He told the court that loan repayments for the property were serviced through multiple cash deposits traced to Lokoja and Bureau de Change transfers allegedly made on the instruction of Ali Bello.
Multiple Cash Deposits
The EFCC witness listed over 25 individuals who allegedly made multiple cash deposits totaling hundreds of millions of naira into Access Bank to service the loan used to acquire the Asokoro property, stressing that all payments were made in cash and traced back to government funds.
Other Properties Traced
The witness also testified that:
₦170 million was used to acquire a property at Marsin Street, Wuse Zone 4.
₦100 million was used to purchase a property at No. 1773 Guzape Street, Abuja.
Another property at Lome Street, Wuse, and Plot 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, valued at ₦66 million, were also allegedly purchased using government funds.
He maintained that none of the transactions were carried out on behalf of the Kogi State Government.
Adjournment
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to February 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Sourece – EFCC
