Yahaya Trial: Court to Decide on EFCC Documents March 9

The court adjourned after hearing submissions from lawyers representing the EFCC and the defence team over documents linked to a property transaction in Abuja. Bello is facing a 19-count charge over alleged money laundering involving N80.2 billion.

The documents in dispute include a title deed and a power of attorney connected to a property in Gwarinpa, Abuja.

The prosecution claims the property was sold by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company to Azba Real Estate Limited for N100 million. According to the EFCC, the documents were signed by representatives of both companies.

The EFCC attempted to present the documents through its 10th witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, an official of the construction firm. Abdulazeez told the court he has worked with the company since 2016 and currently serves as Chief Accountant and Head of Accounts.

He confirmed that a deed of assignment was executed between the two firms for a property located at Plot 1160, Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarinpa II District, Abuja.

The defence team objected to the move. Bello’s lead counsel argued that the documents should not be accepted because they were not certified by the proper authority.

He maintained that only the Abuja Geographical Information Service has the power to register and certify land documents. He also argued that the documents did not clearly show the N100 million said to have been paid for the property.

Although the papers carried certification from the EFCC, the defence insisted that such endorsement was not enough under the law.

In response, the prosecution urged the court to admit the documents. The EFCC’s lead counsel said the papers were not being presented to prove ownership of land but to support earlier oral testimony about the transaction and payment involved.

After hearing both arguments, Justice Nwite fixed March 9 for ruling and continuation of the trial.

Earlier in the proceedings, the eighth prosecution witness, Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with FCMB, told the court during cross-examination that he could not connect Bello to transactions shown in bank documents already admitted as Exhibit 37.

He confirmed that Bello’s name did not appear in the account opening records or statements of Kumfayakum Global Limited covering January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024.

Ochoche also said Bello’s name was not listed in any of the transactions presented to him in court. He added that he could not determine the purpose of a N100 million payment received from Keyless Nature Limited on December 15, 2021, based on the documents before him.

According to him, only the account holders would know the reason for the transfer, and he stated that he was not the account manager for the company.

When asked about any business relationship between Keyless Nature Limited and Kumfayakum Global Limited, he said he had no knowledge of such dealings. He gave a similar response regarding another transfer said to have come through Access Bank.

Another prosecution witness from Polaris Bank also gave evidence on transactions involving accounts under investigation before Abdulazeez was called as the 10th witness.

The case will continue after the court delivers its ruling on the disputed documents.