A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to January 29, 30 and February 4 and 5, 2026 for continuation of trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday, November 11, allowed the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), to conclude the examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’ (EFCC)’s seventh witness, Olomotame Egoro.
Bello was arraigned on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion during his tenure in office.
When the matter was called for continuation of trial, the prosecution sought to tender documents marked as exhibits 33 (1–11) and 34, while leading the witness, Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank, in evidence.
Defence Counsel, Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), interjected, noting that the exhibit being demonstrated by the prosecution and its witness was not known to the defendant. He further argued that the certificate attached to the document before the court, dated 17th, was signed by one Faruk Idiaro and not the witness in the box.
He also noted that the defendant was served with a proof of evidence that was not the same as what the witness tendered.
Responding, the prosecution counsel said the certificate of identification might be different, but the substantive documents attached to it were the same. He urged the court to stand down the matter to enable the defence team to confirm that the documents referred to in the certificate of identification were the same documents tendered.
The court stood down briefly and asked the parties to sort out their differences.
On examination, the witness, Egoro, confirmed that there were seven columns in the statement of account that was tendered and explained what the different columns stood for. He was taken through the account statement of the Kogi State Government House Administration from December 2018 to August 2021.
The witness identified cash payments on December 21, 2018 to one Aminu J.O, totaling N50 million in tranches of N10m each. He also pointed out withdrawals in multiples of N10m in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu on August 1, 2019.
Prosecution also asked the witness to examine a statement of Fazac Business Enterprise, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022 wherein he identified inflows ranging from N4.49m to N14.45m from local governments of the state, on May 6, 2022.
On May 9, there were two inflows of N7.12m and N9.4m from two local governments and also noted the withdrawals from the account.
