Court to rule on admissibility of property documents in EFCC, Yahaya Bello case.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 9, 2026 to rule on the admissibility of documents sought to be tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC in the alleged money laundering trial of the former Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned for ruling after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence on whether or not the property documents should be admitted in evidence.
The disputed documents included a title deed and an irrevocable power of attorney relating to a property located in Gwarinpa, Abuja, allegedly sold by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company to Azba Real Estate Limited for 100 million naira.
The documents were said to have been endorsed by Mubarak Dantata on behalf of the construction firm and Ali Bello for the purchasing company.
Counsel to the former governor, Joseph Daudu, S.A.N, objected to their admissibility, arguing that the documents were not properly certified by the appropriate authority.
He contended that as instruments relating to landed property, they must be duly registered and certified by the Abuja Geographical Information Service (AGIS) to have evidential value.
Although the documents bore certification from the EFCC, Daudu maintained that the anti-graft agency lacked the statutory authority to certify such instruments.
Lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, S.A.N, urged the court to admit the documents, stating that they were relevant to establishing the transaction between the companies involved.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to March 9 for ruling on the admissibility of the contested documents.
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