By Francis Wilfred
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello to rule on the admissibility of key property documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the adjournment after defence counsel objected to the admission of a Deed of Assignment and an Irrevocable Power of Attorney linked to the alleged sale of Plot 1160, Cadastral Zone, Gwarimpa 2, Abuja, reportedly valued at ₦100 million.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving ₦80.24 billion. He has denied the allegations. According to a prosecution witness, payments for the property were allegedly made in three instalments in February 2021.
The Deed of Assignment was said to have been executed between Dantata & Sawoe and Azba Real Estate Limited, while the Irrevocable Power of Attorney was reportedly between Mubarak Dantata and Ali Bello. Defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, argued that the documents are registrable land instruments and should have been presented as Certified True Copies from the appropriate land registry.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, countered that the documents were tendered to support evidence of financial transactions, not to establish land ownership.Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to March 9, 2026, for ruling and continuation of trial.
