Just In: Kogi Cash Withdrawal Scandal Exposed by Witness
By Akeem Oduyoye
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with more evidence showing several large cash withdrawals from Kogi State Government House accounts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing Bello and two others Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu of diverting ₦110.4 billion belonging to Kogi State.
The case, being heard by Justice Maryanne Anineh, involves 16 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
During the hearing, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer from Zenith Bank who appeared as the sixth prosecution witness, gave detailed evidence of several cash withdrawals made between 2016 and 2018. Bata said the withdrawals were mostly done by Abdulsalami Hudu, one of the defendants.
According to Bata, “On the 12th of February 2016, there were 21 withdrawals by Abdulsalami Hudu totaling ₦200 million.” He added that on March 10, 2016, there were several more withdrawals amounting to ₦100 million, and on June 3, 8, and 10, 2016, withdrawals of ₦100 million, ₦100 million, and ₦119 million were also made.
The witness explained that the pattern of frequent withdrawals continued over several months. “Between the 8th and 29th of July, there were consistent cash withdrawals made by Abdulsalami Hudu. The same pattern continued through August,” he said.
Bata also mentioned several inflows into the accounts before the withdrawals. “On August 2, 2016, ₦50 million came in from the Kogi State statutory revenue account. ₦50 million came from Idhu Integrated Services on August 9, and ₦15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance on August 10,” he stated.
He told the court that on August 31, 2016, there were 21 withdrawals totaling ₦188.7 million, and on October 27, 2016, there were 21 withdrawals amounting to ₦188.2 million. He also said that on December 21, 2016, Hudu made 40 withdrawals in one day.
The witness continued, saying that large withdrawals also occurred in 2017 and 2018. On May 9, 2017, 29 withdrawals amounting to ₦203.2 million were made; on October 12, 2017, there were 36 withdrawals, and on November 1, 2017, ₦200 million was withdrawn in 20 transactions.
For January and February 2018, he said cash totaling over ₦1.09 billion was withdrawn within four days.
Bata also explained that as of November 14, 2016, the account had no money, but on December 6, 2016, ₦74.3 million was credited, and ₦30 million was withdrawn the same day in favour of Mohammed Jamiu Salihu.
He went on to say that ₦40 million was later transferred to Echies Designs and Cost Associate Limited, and ₦202.3 million came in from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service on April 21, 2017. After that deposit, withdrawals of ₦167 million were made in a few days by Yusuf Abdulmumini.
Further entries showed ₦92.4 million was paid into the account on August 9, 2017, followed by ₦52 million withdrawn by Mohammed Jamiu Salihu the next day. ₦70 million was also transferred to Efab Properties on August 17, while several other withdrawals followed by Umar Comfort and Abdulsalami Hudu after fresh inflows from Kogi State accounts.
The court also reviewed Exhibit R1, a dollar account statement for Whales Oil and Gas, showing a $11,000 transfer to Academic Services Farida Oricha for payment to the American International School on November 12, 2021.
Another record, Exhibit P1, belonging to Alyeshua Solutions Services, revealed payments of $42,170 and $78,160 made in January 2021 for Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello, also to the American International School, Abuja.
After the witness completed his testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, asked the court to postpone the case until the next day to allow J.B. Daudu, SAN, the lead defence lawyer, to cross-examine the witness.
However, EFCC’s counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, objected, saying there was no reason for another delay. “We are ready to proceed every day to conclude this matter. Adjournments should not be granted unless there’s a good reason,” he argued.
Despite the objection, Justice Maryanne Anineh granted the adjournment, saying it was necessary “in the interest of justice.” The case was then postponed to Thursday, November 13, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of trial.