A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 9, 2026, to rule on the admissibility of documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
Justice Emeka Nwite scheduled the ruling after hearing arguments from both sides over a title deed and an irrevocable power of attorney relating to a property in Gwarinpa, Abuja, allegedly sold by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company to Azba Real Estate Limited for N100 million.
Defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), opposed the move to tender the documents through a prosecution witness, arguing that they were not properly certified or registered and therefore inadmissible. He maintained that only the Abuja Geographical Information Service (AGIS) has the authority to certify such property documents.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), urged the court to admit the documents to establish the transaction between the parties.
Meanwhile, an earlier prosecution witness, Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with FCMB, told the court under cross-examination that he could not link Bello’s name to any of the bank transactions presented as evidence. He admitted that the former governor’s name did not appear in the account documents shown to him.
The case continues on March 9 with a ruling on the disputed documents.
By Bimbo Adenrele, Abuja
