Yahaya Bello Money Laundering Trial Document Admissibility Ruling
Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported Mar 03, 2026 · Last updated Mar 03, 2026
The ongoing money laundering trial of Yahaya Bello, a former governor, could impact the reputation and stock prices of companies linked to the alleged transactions, such as Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company and Azba Real Estate Limited. The outcome of the trial and the court's ruling on document admissibility will be closely watched by financial market participants for implications on corporate governance and regulatory enforcement in Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set March 9 for a ruling on the admissibility of documents in the alleged N80.2 billion money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The Nigeria===Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is attempting to tender a Deed of Assignment and an Irrevocable Power of Attorney related to a property transaction between Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company and Azba Real Estate Limited, with Ali Bello acting for the latter. Yahaya Bello's defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, is challenging the documents' admissibility, arguing they are unregistered and lack a consideration clause. Earlier testimonies from bank compliance officers, Gabriel Ochoche (Wema Bank) and Oluwafemi Victoria (Polaris Bank), indicated that Yahaya Bello's name did not appear in the specific transactions under scrutiny for Kumfayakum Global Limited, a company whose accounts are being investigated. The prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, maintains the documents support oral evidence, not to prove land title.
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