The EFCC, in a counter affidavit filed at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court prayed the court to dismiss the senator’s application.
The commission’s intelligence department conducted a forensic probe of Adamawa’s finances under the former governor and uncovered billions in stolen, diverted and laundered funds.
Mr Mafara said the seizure was made possible by a team of the NSCDC operatives, the Nigerian Army and IPMAN.
The appeal, filed on Monday by Washington-based attorney John Iweanoge, covers only the sentence given by District Judge Otis D. Wright II.
Mr Bello said he remained transparent in managing the state’s resources by opening up the books of income and expenditure to the people.
EFCC said it would obtain a copy of the judgement for urgent review and challenge its validity at the appellate court.
The EFCC recovered five vehicles, 32 mobile phones, eight laptops and incriminating materials from the suspects.
This repatriation brings the total amount forfeited and returned by the United States in this case to approximately $332.4 million.
Mr Lawal had been standing trial alongside five others over embezzlement of N544 million in a grass-cutting contract scandal.
Xie Jilai, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People’s Congress, has been indicted on bribe-taking charges.
