EFCC Witness Reveals How N117 Million Was Withdrawn From Kogi LG Accounts in Yahaya Bello’s Ongoing Trial
By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
ABUJA — Nigeria News Today: A compliance officer with Access Bank, Olomotane Egoro, on Tuesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, how a total sum of about N117 million was moved from the accounts of 13 local government areas in Kogi State during the tenure of former governor Yahaya Bello.
EFCC witness testifies on local government fund withdrawals
Testifying as the seventh prosecution witness (PW7) in the ongoing EFCC trial, Egoro said that out of the total inflows from the 13 councils, N115 million was withdrawn in cash through cheques by one Yakubu Adadenega Siaka.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Egoro informed the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, that the transactions took place on May 6, 2022, with funds coming from local governments including Yagba East, Omala, Yagba West, Idah, Okene, Ijumu, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Ogori/Magongo, Igalamela-Odolu, Ibaji, and Dekina.
According to Egoro, Access Bank complied with an EFCC subpoena to provide account statements and supporting documents, although some account opening packages could not be retrieved. He added that the bank furnished full customer details from its database to assist investigators.
EFCC alleges N80.2 billion diversion under Bello
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the former Kogi State governor for alleged diversion and misappropriation of N80.2 billion in public funds. The anti-graft agency maintains that several government and private accounts were used to channel state resources during Bello’s administration.
Other witnesses testify from multiple banks
Earlier in Monday’s proceedings, the court heard from multiple compliance officers from Zenith Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, and Access Bank. The fourth witness, Mashelia Arhyel of Zenith Bank, testified that several cash withdrawals were made from the Kogi Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke, often in tranches of N10 million.
Arhyel also confirmed that numerous hotels — including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels — received payments from the same account.
Prosecution continues to build case
Following cross-examinations by defence counsel J.B. Daudu (SAN), the prosecution declined re-examination and discharged some witnesses. Subsequent testimonies by Jesutoni Akoni of Ecobank and Mohammed Bello Hassan of Keystone Bank detailed further financial transactions linked to alleged diversion schemes.
The case has been adjourned for continuation of trial as the EFCC continues to present evidence against the former Kogi governor, who has consistently denied wrongdoing.
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