The ongoing money laundering trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, took a significant turn at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, as a prosecution witness stated that several withdrawals from the State Government House Administration account did not violate any known banking law.
Olomotane Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank, appeared before the court as the 10th prosecution witness (PW10) in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over allegations that they were involved in financial transactions amounting to about N110.4 billion.
The EFCC alleges the funds are linked to unlawful financial activities, forming the basis of the money laundering trial.
During cross-examination by Bello’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), Egoro maintained that the cash withdrawals referenced in earlier testimony complied with the guidelines set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to him, the transactions were processed in line with regulatory procedures applicable to such accounts.
The witness clarified that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, one of the individuals who made withdrawals from the Kogi Government House account, was an authorised signatory.
Documentation contained in the account opening records identified Olanrewaju as a civil servant serving as Director of Accounts in the Kogi State Government Administration.
Egoro explained that signatories are empowered to carry out transactions on behalf of account holders, provided due procedures are followed.
He further informed the court that, as a compliance officer, his responsibilities were limited to ensuring adherence to banking regulations.
He was not involved in the internal management or decision-making processes concerning how the funds in the Kogi Government House account were utilised.
Therefore, he could only rely on the descriptions attached to the transactions in the bank records.
In a notable part of his testimony, Egoro stated that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transaction documents presented before the court.
He also confirmed that Bello was not a Local Government Chairman, addressing questions raised during the cross-examination.
Providing specific details of certain payments, the witness confirmed that a transaction dated May 6, 2022, in the sum of N14,453,900.84, was described as payment for the supply of reading materials to Okene Local Government.
He added that other transactions reflected expenditures on items such as sporting equipment, agrochemicals, farm inputs, relief materials, and medical consumables.
According to the bank records reviewed in court, a lodgement of N10.6 million from Ibaji Local Government statutory revenue was earmarked for agrochemicals.
Another inflow of N7.3 million from Mopa Muro Local Government was designated for the supply of relief materials.
Similarly, N9.9 million from Ofu Local Government was linked to the procurement of agrochemicals and related supplies.
Earlier in the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro led the witness in tendering documentary evidence.
Among the documents presented was a subpoena issued by the Managing Director of Access Bank.
The subpoena was accompanied by comprehensive statements of the Kogi Government House account covering transactions from January 2016 to January 2024.
Additional financial records submitted to the court included statements from accounts belonging to several companies, such as Westwood Motors Limited, Fozad Oil and Gas Limited, Bespoque Global Concept Limited, E-Traders International Limited, and Keyless Nature Limited.
These documents form part of the evidence in the ongoing money laundering trial.
Although counsel to the second and third defendants, Z. E. Abbas, objected to the admission of the documents, Justice Maryann Anenih ruled that they be provisionally admitted.
The judge stated that the question of admissibility and evidential weight would be addressed at a later stage of the proceedings.
Egoro also disclosed that the bank observed multiple cash withdrawals of N10 million each between January 15 and 16, 2018, carried out by Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju.
A similar withdrawal was recorded on March 8 of the same year by Abdulsalami Hudu.
In line with regulatory obligations, Access Bank filed a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), as required under financial monitoring laws.
He further noted that the account received several inflows from different local government areas, alongside withdrawals made by another individual identified as Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege.
These patterns of transactions are central to the prosecution’s case in the money laundering trial.
The EFCC continues to press its case, arguing that the financial movements form part of a broader scheme involving public funds. However, the defence maintains that the transactions were lawful and properly documented.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the scale of the alleged funds and the high-profile individuals involved.
As proceedings continue at the FCT High Court, legal observers say the testimony of financial experts and compliance officers may prove critical in determining the outcome of the money laundering trial.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until March 10 for further hearing, when additional witnesses may be called to testify.
