A prosecution witness has told an Abuja High Court how a property in Maitama was allegedly bought for the naira equivalent of ₦950 million paid in U.S. dollars, as part of the ongoing trial linked to an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Ramalan Abdullahi, a legal practitioner with the Federal Capital Development Authority, testified on Friday, May 8, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the FCT High Court, Maitama. He said he conducted due diligence on the property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, in January 2022 after being contacted by a friend.

Abdullahi told the court that he interfaced with Ali Bello through Shehu Bello regarding the purchase. He stated that payment was made in dollars equivalent to ₦950 million, and that he prepared title documents naming White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee, acting on instructions from Ali Bello.

The witness said he handed over the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited, along with a power of attorney for the same party. He added that he never met Abdulsalami Hudu, the third defendant in the case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts of alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

During cross-examination, Abdullahi confirmed he had previously testified in the Federal High Court and said he received instructions to work on the transaction from Shehu Bello.

Earlier, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of a pending application seeking a stay of proceedings. Defence counsel requested time to respond, but Justice Anineh ruled the third defendant could move his application at the next hearing. The prosecution also withdrew a separate application dated May 6, 2026, with no objection from the defence.

The trial is set to continue on the next adjourned date.