The Yahaya Bello trial was adjourned as the FCT High Court awaits the cross-examination of a key bank witness over major Kogi financial transactions.
The Yahaya Bello trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama took a new direction on Wednesday when Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the proceedings to Thursday.
The adjournment was granted to allow the defense counsel time to cross-examine a key witness who had earlier testified about sensitive financial activities connected to the Kogi State Government House account.
The decision followed an application made by Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), who requested additional time to prepare for the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank Plc.
The prosecution, represented by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raised no objection, allowing the court to approve the request.
During Wednesday’s session of the Yahaya Bello trial, the Zenith Bank official, Mshelia Bata, provided a comprehensive account of the financial transactions that passed through the Kogi State Government House Administration Account between February 2016 and February 2018.
She stated that several deposits and withdrawals occurred during that period, most in tranches of ₦10 million, and all within the permissible withdrawal limit.
Bata revealed that the first inflow into the account was recorded on December 6, 2016, with a deposit of ₦74.378 million.
Over the next two years, several withdrawals were made, including one totalling ₦30 million in favour of Muhammed Jamiu Salau. She confirmed that all transactions were consistent with the approved banking thresholds at the time.
The witness further disclosed that the account received multiple inflows from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) and other sources linked to the state government’s administrative operations.
The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, presented a set of documents before the court to substantiate the commission’s case.
Among them was Exhibit R1, the statement of account (USD) belonging to Wales Oil and Gas, which allegedly processed foreign transfers connected to the case.
Bata confirmed that an overseas transfer of $11,000 was made on November 12, 2021, in favour of Farida Oricha, labelled as a Corporate FX payment.
Another key document, Exhibit P1 En Bloc, was tendered—representing the statement of account of Aleshua Solutions Services Limited, a USD domiciliary account.
The witness identified debit entries on items 1 and 13 and testified that foreign exchange payments from Aleshua Solutions were made in favour of the American International School, suggesting payments for educational purposes abroad.
After reviewing the extensive testimony, the defense counsel sought an adjournment to cross-examine the witness more thoroughly.
Daudu emphasized that the defense needed sufficient time to review the documents presented and analyze the financial details revealed in court.
The prosecution did not contest the request, prompting Justice Anenih to adjourn the hearing until Thursday, November 13, for the continuation of the Yahaya Bello trial and the scheduled cross-examination of Mshelia Bata.
Observers described the session as procedural yet significant, marking a key moment in a trial that continues to capture national attention.
The Yahaya Bello trial stems from a 16-count charge filed by the EFCC against the former Kogi State Governor and two others — Umar Oricha, Director-General of the Kogi State Government House, and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The EFCC accuses them of committing a criminal breach of trust involving the alleged diversion of ₦110.4 billion in state funds.
According to the prosecution, the funds were allegedly mismanaged through a network of bank accounts and shell companies used to launder money from the Kogi State Government House.
The defense, however, has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that the transactions were legitimate and duly documented.
At previous sittings, Mshelia Bata told the court that prior to 2023, there were no strict withdrawal limits as long as the cheque amount did not exceed ₦10 million.
She reiterated that all withdrawals during the period under review were within the authorized limit and supported by the necessary approvals.
She disclosed that by January 31, 2018, the total transactions on the Government House account stood at ₦707,267,000, encompassing multiple deposits and withdrawals conducted over two years.
The defense is expected to challenge these figures during cross-examination, focusing on the legitimacy of each transaction and whether the EFCC’s interpretation of “criminal breach of trust” aligns with the operational realities of government accounts at that time.
The Yahaya Bello trial has drawn widespread public interest, with many Nigerians viewing it as a litmus test for the country’s anti-corruption campaign.
The courtroom has regularly been filled with journalists, lawyers, and civil society observers tracking every development in the high-profile case.
Justice Anenih’s decision to adjourn was seen as a reflection of judicial fairness, ensuring that both the defense and prosecution have ample time to present their arguments comprehensively.
Legal experts say the court’s careful handling of the matter may determine how similar corruption-related trials are conducted in the future.
The case will resume on Thursday, November 13, when the defense team is expected to begin its cross-examination of Mshelia Bata.
Analysts anticipate that Daudu’s questioning will focus on the compliance procedures used by Zenith Bank and the validity of EFCC’s financial evidence.
As the Yahaya Bello trial progresses, attention will remain fixed on how the court interprets the flow of funds and whether the prosecution can prove its claim that the former governor and his co-defendants violated public trust through the alleged misappropriation of state resources.
The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for Nigeria’s governance and financial accountability systems.
For now, the spotlight remains on the FCT High Court, where the search for truth continues in one of Nigeria’s most talked-about corruption trials.
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