Just In: Kogi LGs N117m Transfers Revealed
By Akeem Oduyoye
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday heard from the seventh prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, explained how a total of about N117 million was transferred from the accounts of 13 local government areas in the state.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Professor Ken Pinheiro, SAN, Egoro told Justice Emeka Nwite that N115 million of the total inflow was withdrawn via cheques by one Yakubu Adadenega Siaka. The funds involved LGAs including Yagba East, Omala, Yagba West, Idah, Okene, Ijumu, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Ogonimangogo, Igalamela Odolu, Ibaji, and Dekina.
By Akeem Oduyoye
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday heard from the seventh prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, explained how a total of about N117 million was transferred from the accounts of 13 local government areas in the state.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Professor Ken Pinheiro, SAN, Egoro told Justice Emeka Nwite that N115 million of the total inflow was withdrawn via cheques by one Yakubu Adadenega Siaka. The funds involved LGAs including Yagba East, Omala, Yagba West, Idah, Okene, Ijumu, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Ogonimangogo, Igalamela Odolu, Ibaji, and Dekina.
Bello is facing trial for allegedly diverting and misappropriating Kogi State funds while serving as governor. The proceedings also featured ongoing cross-examination of earlier witnesses, including Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, who testified about multiple cash withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
It was revealed that several individuals, including Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke, made withdrawals in multiples of N10 million. He also listed hotels such as Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels as beneficiaries of these transactions.
The prosecution then called Jesutoni Akoni of Ecobank Nigeria as Prosecution Witness 5, who presented account statements of Moses Wadzu Ileku covering 2016. Deposits made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging from N3 million to N20 million, were admitted as evidence.
Prosecution Witness 6, Mohammed Bello Hassan, a Keystone Bank relationship officer, produced statements of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, showing transfers totaling N100 million between February 17 and 22, 2021. Under cross-examination, he said he did not personally know the individuals involved in the transfers.
Finally, Prosecution Witness 7, Olomotane Egoro of Access Bank, presented 12 sets of documents under a court-issued subpoena. He explained that while some account opening packages were missing, sufficient customer details were extracted from the bank’s database for the court’s review.
The testimony provides a detailed look at how public funds allegedly moved through multiple bank accounts, forming a key part of the EFCC’s evidence against the former governor.
Bello is facing trial for allegedly diverting and misappropriating Kogi State funds while serving as governor. The proceedings also featured ongoing cross-examination of earlier witnesses, including Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, who testified about multiple cash withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
It was revealed that several individuals, including Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke, made withdrawals in multiples of N10 million. He also listed hotels such as Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels as beneficiaries of these transactions.
The prosecution then called Jesutoni Akoni of Ecobank Nigeria as Prosecution Witness 5, who presented account statements of Moses Wadzu Ileku covering 2016. Deposits made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging from N3 million to N20 million, were admitted as evidence.
Prosecution Witness 6, Mohammed Bello Hassan, a Keystone Bank relationship officer, produced statements of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, showing transfers totaling N100 million between February 17 and 22, 2021. Under cross-examination, he said he did not personally know the individuals involved in the transfers.
Finally, Prosecution Witness 7, Olomotane Egoro of Access Bank, presented 12 sets of documents under a court-issued subpoena. He explained that while some account opening packages were missing, sufficient customer details were extracted from the bank’s database for the court’s review.
The testimony provides a detailed look at how public funds allegedly moved through multiple bank accounts, forming a key part of the EFCC’s evidence against the former governor.