Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello
Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the continuation of the alleged money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to January 29, 2026.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment on Tuesday to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s seventh prosecution witness, Olomotame Egoro, to wrap up his testimony. Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was still being led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, when proceedings were halted.
During the session, Pinheiro sought to tender documents labeled Exhibits 33 (1–11) and 34. However, Bello’s lead counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, objected, arguing that the defense was unfamiliar with the documents. He further pointed out that the accompanying certificate of identification was signed by Faruk Idiaro, not the witness in the dock, and insisted the proof of evidence provided earlier was different from what was being presented in court.
Pinheiro countered, maintaining that while the certificates might differ, the underlying documents remained the same. He requested a short recess to allow the defense to cross-check the materials.
After a brief stand-down, the matter resumed, and Egoro proceeded with his testimony. He explained the contents of the Kogi State Government House Administration account statement covering December 2018 to August 2021, highlighting cash payments of ₦50 million made in tranches to one Aminu J.O and subsequent withdrawals in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on August 1, 2019.
The witness also analyzed Exhibit 33-8, a statement belonging to Fazac Business Enterprise, which recorded inflows from various local governments between 2019 and 2022, including transactions of ₦4.49 million, ₦7.12 million, and ₦9.4 million.
After hours of proceedings, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 29, January 30, February 4, and February 5, 2026, for further hearing.
It would be recalled that earlier, the EFCC’s fourth witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, told the court that the financial activities of the Kogi State government did not violate any banking regulations. She also reaffirmed that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in the accounts tendered by the anti-graft agency.
(NAN)
