By Rismadarvoice, 04 March 2026
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned until March 9, 2026, to rule on the admissibility of a Deed of Assignment and an Irrevocable Power of Attorney tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving ₦80,246,470,088.88.
The adjournment followed extensive arguments by prosecution and defence counsel over the admissibility of the two documents linked to the sale of Plot 1160, Cadastral Zone, Gwarimpa 2, Abuja, reportedly sold for ₦100 million.
The EFCC sought to tender the documents through its 10th prosecution witness (PW10), Mahmoud Abdulaziz, Chief Accountant of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Limited.
Abdulaziz told the court that the company sold the 8,240.72 square metre property to Azba Real Estate Limited for ₦100 million. He said the payment was made in tranches — ₦70 million on February 17, 2021; ₦10 million on February 19; and ₦20 million on February 22, 2021 through electronic transfers into the company’s Keystone Bank account.
He further testified that the transfers were made by one Maigari Murtala and that the Deed of Assignment was executed between Dantata & Sawoe and Azba Real Estate Limited, signed by Mubarak Dantata, Nasiru Dantata and Ali Bello. An Irrevocable Power of Attorney, he said, was executed between Mubarak Dantata and Ali Bello. The documents were later submitted to the EFCC during investigations.
However, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents on three grounds. He argued that both documents were registrable instruments affecting title to land, ought to have been registered. He contended that only Certified True Copies (CTCs) from the appropriate land registry would be admissible.
Daudu further submitted that the EFCC was not the custodian of land documents and that certification by an EFCC official contravened Section 114 of the Evidence Act.
“On these three grounds, my lord, these documents are inadmissible,” he argued.
Responding, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, described the objection as a misconception of the law.
He maintained that the witness had already given oral evidence of the transaction and receipt of funds, and that the documents were being tendered to support that testimony.
“This is a criminal prosecution for money laundering, not a civil dispute over land title,” Pinheiro argued. “We are not tendering these documents to prove title or ownership. This court does not have jurisdiction to determine title to land.”
He added that a document inadmissible for one purpose may be admissible for another and contended that once a private document is submitted to a public officer in the course of investigation, it becomes a public document in custody and may be certified. He cited Audu v. FRN (2025) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1984) 61 in support of his position.
In reply, Daudu insisted that the specific purpose for tendering the documents had not been clearly stated and argued that even if admitted as receipts, they must contain a consideration clause.
Pinheiro countered that the Deed of Assignment contained a consideration clause and urged the court to admit both documents.
After listening to both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned for ruling and continuation of trial.
Travel Application, Red Notice Issue:
Earlier, the defence informed the court of a pending application seeking leave to vacate a previous order permitting Bello to travel for lesser Hajj. Daudu said both parties were in discussions and requested time to determine whether the application would still be necessary.
Pinheiro confirmed the discussions and stated that the prosecution would respond to issues concerning a Red Notice. He also informed the court that “all the airports in the Middle East are closed.”
Bank Officials Testify:
During cross-examination of PW8, an FCMB official, the witness confirmed that Exhibit 37 was the statement of account of Kunfayakun Global Limited covering January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024.
He acknowledged a ₦100 million inflow from Keyless Nature Limited on December 15 and a ₦400 million RTGS inflow on December 17, 2021, explaining that RTGS means Real Time Gross Settlement. He also confirmed a ₦600 million inflow from Ejadams on February 18, 2022, but stated he did not know the purpose of the transactions or the business relationships between the parties. He was subsequently discharged.
PW9, Oluwafemi Victoria, a compliance officer with Polaris Bank, testified under subpoena, which was admitted as Exhibit 38. Statements of account and a certificate of identification were admitted as Exhibits 39 and 40.
She confirmed multiple ₦10 million inflows into JIT Limited’s account on November 23 and 24, 2021, from Musa Nura, Yusuf Mubarak and Maishanu Global Industry, totaling ₦150 million.
On the account of SSP Foods Limited, she identified 10 credit entries on November 24, 2021, including ₦70 million from Inganchi Synergy and ₦70 million from Murtala Maigari, among others, amounting to ₦250 million.
Under cross-examination, she stated she was neither the account officer nor relationship manager and was unaware of the business relationships behind the transactions.
The matter continues on March 9, 2026.
