Court to Rule on Admissibility of Land Documents in EFCC’s ₦80bn Money Laundering Trial of Ex‑Governor Yahaya Bello
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned to March 9, 2026, to deliver ruling 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.
The documents, relating to the sale of Plot 1160, Cadastral Zone, Gwarimpa 2, Abuja, allegedly sold for ₦100 million, became contentious after prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, sought to tender them through PW10, Mahmoud Abdulaziz, Chief Accountant of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Limited.
Defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, objected to their admissibility, arguing that the instruments were registrable under land law and required Certified True Copies from the land registry. He contended that EFCC was not the proper custodian and that certification by its officials contravened Section 114 of the Evidence Act.
In response, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, maintained that the objection misconceived the law, stressing that the documents were being tendered to support oral testimony in a criminal prosecution for money laundering, not to establish title to land. He argued that once private documents are submitted to a public authority during investigation, they become public documents capable of certification, citing Audu v. FRN (2025) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1984) 61.
After hearing both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned for ruling on admissibility and continuation of trial.
The proceedings also addressed a pending application concerning Bello’s travel for lesser Hajj, with both parties confirming ongoing discussions. Additionally, cross‑examinations of bank officials (PW8 and PW9) produced evidence of substantial inflows into accounts linked to companies allegedly involved in the transactions, though witnesses admitted limited knowledge of the underlying business relationships.
The trial continues on March 9, 2026.
