•Yahaya Bello and EFCC logo
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who is answering to a 19-count money laundering charge, today, challenged the admissibility of a fresh evidence the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sought to tender against him.
The anti-graft agency had, at the resumed proceedings of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja, applied to tender evidence relating to a landed property the defendant allegedly acquired with proceeds of crime.
It specifically moved to tender a Deed of Assignment, as well as an Irrevocable Power of Attorney, in respect of a property located in the Gwarinpa District of Abuja, allegedly purchased for N100 million, reports Vanguard.
The 10th prosecution witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez — through whom the agency sought to tender the evidence — told the court that the property situated at Plot 1160, Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarinpa II District, Abuja, was sold to a firm allegedly linked to the defendant, Azba Real Estate Limited, by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company
The witness disclosed that Mubarak Dantata executed the Deed of Assignment on behalf of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company, while Ali Bello, who is the defendant’s nephew and current Chief of Staff to governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state, signed on behalf of Azba Real Estate Limited.
The PW-10 told the court that he has been working for the company that sold the property since 2016, adding that he presently serves as its Chief Accountant/Head of the Accounts Department.
Attempt by EFCC’s team of lawyers led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, to submit the documents to the court was resisted by ex-Governor Bello’s lead counsel, Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, who insisted that they were not properly certified as required by the law.
Daudu, SAN, argued that the documents ought to be registered under land law before they could have probate value to be admitted in evidence.
Besides, noting that the two documents had EFCC’s certification, the defence lawyer contended that the prosecuting agency lacked the power to carry out such function.
He maintained that the Abuja Geographical Information Service (AGIS) is the only body vested with the power to register and certify such documents.
After he had listened to both parties, trial Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case until March 9 to enable the court to rule on the matter.
Earlier in the proceedings, the EFCC produced two bank Compliance Officers that testified before the court as witnesses.
While Gabriel Ochoche from FCMB appeared as the eight witness, Ms. Oluwafemi Victoria from Polaris Bank, mounted the box as the ninth witness.
The duo gave evidence regarding some bank accounts that were allegedly used to conduct some of the transactions the anti-graft agency flagged as suspicious.
Bello, who piloted the affairs of Kogi state from 2016 to 2024, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in an N80.2billion fraud.
EFCC alleged that the defendant used five proxies to acquire 13 choice properties in highbrow areas of Abuja and Dubai.
It told the court that the properties were acquired with proceeds of crime.
More so, the agency alleged that the defendant attempted to conceal over N3billion by handing same to proxies to keep for him.
It further told the court that the defendant wired over $700, 000 to an account he maintained with a bank in the United States of America, USA, in breach of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Among those that were fingered in the alleged fraud included the former governor’s nephew, Ali Bello and four others- Dauda Suleiman, Shehu Bello, Rabiu Musa and Hudu who is currently at large.
According to the EFCC, the defendant, by his action, committed public breach of trust, contrary to section 18(a) and (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and punishable under section 15 of the same Act.
The ex-governor had since pleaded not guilty to the charge, even as he was released on bail by the court, pending the determination of allegations against him.
