The trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello continued on Monday at the Federal High Court Abuja, where a prosecution witness told the court the ex-governor was not directly linked to the property transactions under investigation.
The 10th prosecution witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, an accountant with Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Joseph Daudu, Abdulazeez said the former governor did not participate in the preparation or execution of the property documents tendered as evidence in the alleged money laundering case.
Court admits disputed documents
Earlier in the proceedings, the court admitted two documents presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They include Exhibit 42 – an Irrevocable Power of Attorney, Exhibit 43 – a Deed of Assignment.
The witness explained that the documents were executed between Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited and Azab Real Estate Limited.
However, Abdulazeez acknowledged during questioning that the deed of assignment did not state the value of the property involved in the transaction.
Responding to the defence, he told the court that in his more than 25 years as an accountant, he had never encountered property transaction documents that did not include the value of the property.
Bello not present during transaction
The witness further stated that Yahaya Bello neither took part in the preparation nor the execution of the documents.
According to him, the construction firm authorised Azab Real Estate Limited to act on its behalf in executing the documents.
“Our directors signed on behalf of Dantata while Ali Bello signed on behalf of Azab,” Abdulazeez told the court, adding that the former governor never visited the company’s office during the process.
Additional witnesses testify
Another prosecution witness, legal practitioner James Igbakule, also testified about a property located at Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 District, Abuja.
He told the court that the property payment was made in three instalments after his client, SFC Foods Limited, expressed interest in selling it.
Igbakule added that he was later invited by the EFCC for questioning after his name surfaced during the investigation.
Under cross-examination, he said he was seeing Yahaya Bello for the first time in court and had never had any prior dealings with him.
The prosecution also presented a 12th witness, Jemilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, who confirmed carrying out financial transactions involving companies such as Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited.
He also testified about multiple cash transactions, often in ₦10 million tranches, allegedly conducted by one Abba Adaudu.
Defence challenges travel alert
During the proceedings, the defence informed the court that it had filed an application seeking the removal of a red alert placed against the former governor before his appearance in court.
Daudu argued that permitting the defendant to travel while maintaining the alert would contradict the court’s earlier order allowing Bello to travel abroad for 10 days starting March 13 during Ramadan.
However, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro insisted that the travel permission was granted strictly for the defendant’s benefit.
Justice Nwite said he would review the arguments before delivering a ruling on the application.
The case was adjourned to April 22, 23, 24 and May 6, 7 for continuation of the trial.
