The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday challenged the admissibility of fresh evidence the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sought to tender against him in his ongoing 19 count money laundering trial.
At the resumed hearing before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the anti graft agency applied to submit documents relating to a landed property allegedly acquired with proceeds of crime. The prosecution attempted to tender a Deed of Assignment and an Irrevocable Power of Attorney concerning a property located at Plot 1160 Cadastral Zone C03 Gwarinpa II District Abuja, reportedly purchased for N100 million.
The 10th prosecution witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, told the court that the property was sold by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company to Azba Real Estate Limited, a firm allegedly linked to Bello. He stated that Mubarak Dantata signed the Deed of Assignment on behalf of the construction company, while Ali Bello, nephew to the former governor and current Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed Ododo, signed for the purchasing firm.
However, Bello lead counsel, Mr J B Daudu SAN, opposed the move, arguing that the documents were not properly certified as required by law. He contended that only the Abuja Geographical Information Service has the authority to register and certify such property documents, not the EFCC.
After hearing arguments from both sides, trial Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter until March 9 for ruling.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing allegations of complicity in an N80.2 billion fraud. The EFCC alleged that he used proxies to acquire multiple properties in Abuja and Dubai and transferred funds abroad in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act. He has pleaded not guilty and remains on bail pending the determination of the case.
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