An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) prosecution witness, Lamalan Jibrin, has again told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that he never had any business dealings involving properties with former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Jibrin, who is a lawyer with the Federal Capital Development Authority (Federal Capital Development Authority), made the clarification while being cross-examined by Bello’s counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), in the ongoing trial over alleged breach of trust and diversion of public funds.
The former governor is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust involving about N110.4 billion. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
During proceedings, the witness maintained that he never received any direct instruction from the defendants and confirmed that he had earlier given similar testimony in another related case before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He told the court that his involvement in the disputed property at 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, was through one Shehu Bala, who contacted him to conduct due diligence on the transaction. He added that he never met any of the defendants throughout the process.
Jibrin further admitted that he was not present when payment for the property was made and only received information about the transaction details from others.
Under cross-examination, he agreed that he had no personal knowledge of the payment currency, confirming he only relied on what he was told.
Earlier in his evidence-in-chief led by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness narrated how he was engaged in preparing legal documents for the property transaction after being contacted in January 2021.
He explained that he drafted key documents, including a deed of assignment between Palchi Ventures Limited and White Tree Nigerian Limited, as well as a power of attorney between both parties. He said the completed documents were later executed and returned before being handed over to Shehu Bala.
The court also heard arguments from counsel to the third defendant, who challenged the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter to May 22, 2026, for ruling on three pending applications, while trial continuation was fixed for June 16, 2026.
