Former Federal Capital Territory Administration official, Ramalan Abdullahi, on Friday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that a property located at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, was allegedly purchased for the naira equivalent of N950 million paid in United States dollars.

Abdullahi, who testified as prosecution witness 15 before Justice Maryanne Anineh, gave the evidence in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving alleged diversion of N110.4 billion.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Abdullahi told the court that sometime in January 2022, a friend contacted him to conduct due diligence on the property after it was introduced for sale by agents.

“I picked a call from my friend who informed me that some agents introduced him to this property to sell and that I can conduct due diligence on it,” he said.

The witness said he interfaced with Ali Bello through Shehu Bello during the transaction and confirmed that payment for the property was made in dollars equivalent to N950 million.

“Ali Bello through Shehu Bello. The payment of the property was in Naira. Paid in dollars equivalent to 950 million naira,” he stated.

Abdullahi further told the court that he prepared the title documents for the property and handed them over to Ali Bello.

According to him, White Tree Nigeria Limited was used as the assignee in the transaction.

“I was given a name White Tree Nigerian Limited as the assignee. I prepared the deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Nigeria Plc and White Tree Nigeria Limited as the assignee for the deed of assignment. And the power of attorney was given to the same party,” he said.

The witness added that the instruction to use White Tree Nigeria Limited came from Ali Bello.

“The person that gave me the name of White Tree Limited was Ali Bello,” he said.

He also maintained that the entire payment for the property was made in dollars.

During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness confirmed that he had previously testified before the Federal High Court.

Asked if he received instructions to work for a particular person, he replied: “Yes. I received the instruction from Shehu Bello.”

Under cross-examination by counsel to the third defendant, Z. E. Abbas, the witness stated that he never met Abdulsalami Hudu.

Earlier, Pinheiro informed the court that the matter had been adjourned for ruling on pending applications and continuation of trial proceedings.

He also disclosed that the prosecution had served the third defendant with an application seeking suspension and stay of proceedings.

Responding, Abbas argued that the application was not ripe for hearing because it was served on him around 4pm on Thursday and requested an adjournment till Tuesday.

Pinheiro opposed the request, arguing that the application filed by the third defendant was similar to those earlier filed by the first and second defendants.

“The third defendant is arguing the same thing. Same prayers. If my application is granted, it will affect their application too because it’s the same prayers. It will save time,” he said.

Abbas, however, disagreed, insisting that the applications were different.

Justice Anineh subsequently ruled that the third defendant could move his application at the next adjourned date.

The prosecution later withdrew an application dated May 6, 2026, after informing the court that it had already been argued.

With no objection from defence counsel, Justice Anineh granted the application for withdrawal.