The trial for alleged multi-billion naira fraud involving the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, intensified on Thursday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented a fresh wave of financial records.
Before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, bank compliance officers detailed a complex web of transactions allegedly linked to the N110.4 billion money laundering case.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust. The proceedings, presided over by Justice MaryAnne Anenih, centered on cross-examinations of key witnesses from three major Nigerian banks.
The sixth Prosecution Witness (PW6), Mashelia Bata of Zenith Bank, provided insights into specific account entries. During cross-examination by defense counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN), Bata explained how the bank categorizes transaction data.
Bata noted that the “description” column in the statement of account served as the primary record for transaction details. Key findings from this testimony included:
– A N10 million cheque issued to Abdulsalami Hudu in January 2016.
– A N2.45 million payment to Halims Hotels and Tours in Lokoja.
– A N74.37 million credit inflow from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in late 2016.
Despite detailing these movements, the witness maintained a neutral stance regarding the intent behind the transfers, stating that he did not know the purposes for which the funds were used.
The prosecution further bolstered its case with testimonies from compliance officers representing FCMB and Sterling Bank, highlighting significant outflows and revenue-linked credits.
Gabriel Ocha (PW8) of FCMB also Identified records for Kunfayakun Global Limited (2018–2024), including a N30 million debit to the American International School, while A.D. Ojoma (PW9) of Sterling Bank presented statements for Bespoke Business Solutions Limited, showing large credits from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service totaling hundreds of millions in 2019.
The testimony from PW8 also flagged several N10 million web transfers and NIBSS (Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System) inflows that occurred on a single day in November 2021.
As the EFCC continues to piece together the financial history of the defendants, the defense team has focused its strategy on questioning the witnesses’ direct knowledge of the underlying business purposes of these transactions.
Justice Anenih has adjourned the matter until Friday, January 16 (today), 2026, for the continuation of the trial and further witness testimonies.
