An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how funds allegedly diverted from the Kogi State Government House administration account were used to purchase luxury properties in Abuja.
Testifying on Monday, Ahmed Abubakar, an EFCC investigator and the prosecution’s 17th witness, detailed transactions linked to Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and nephew of former governor Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello alongside Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalami Hudu, a former cashier of the Government House administration account who is currently at large. The defendants are facing a 16-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of ₦10.27 billion.
Abubakar told the court that Bello allegedly used ₦900 million to acquire a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, popularly known as Spring Hall School. He said the funds were withdrawn from the Kogi State treasury and handed to a bureau de change operator, Rabiu Tafada, for conversion into foreign currency before payment was made in cash.
According to the witness, the transaction was brokered by a lawyer, Barrister Ramalan, and payment was made at a bureau de change office in Zone 4, Abuja.
On another count, Abubakar said Bello allegedly used ₦920 million to purchase a property at No. 2 Justice Chukwudi (Oguta) Street, Asokoro, Abuja. He told the court that the transaction was facilitated by former governor Yahaya Bello through a contractor who originally acquired the property.
The witness added that payments for the property were made through cash deposits and transfers traced to the Kogi State Government House administration account and a bureau de change linked to Tafada.
Abubakar further testified that ₦170 million was used to acquire a property on Marsin Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, while ₦100 million was allegedly spent on another property at Guzape Street, Abuja. He said the funds were withdrawn directly from the same government account.
He also told the court that ₦66 million was paid in cash for a property at Plot 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, stressing that the purchase was not made on behalf of the Kogi State Government.
The witness said investigations revealed that the funds used for the property acquisitions were drawn from the Government House administration account and security votes.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to February 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, 2026, for continuation of trial.
