EFCC Witness Details ₦1 Billion Withdrawals from Kogi Accounts — Fresh Evidence in Yahaya Bello Trial
By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News
ABUJA — Nigeria News Today: The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as a Zenith Bank official revealed massive cash withdrawals allegedly made from the state’s government accounts between 2016 and 2018.
The witness, Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer and the sixth prosecution witness (PW6), testified before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. He described how billions of naira were withdrawn in small batches by Abdulsalami Hudu and others, who operated as part of the Kogi Government House financial team.
Massive Cash Withdrawals Over Several Months
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Bata said that on February 12, 2016, a total of ₦200 million was withdrawn through 21 separate transactions by Hudu. He added that on March 10, 2016, another ₦326.6 million was taken out in similar fashion.
He told the court that this pattern continued in the months that followed. On August 31, 2016, for instance, ₦188 million was withdrawn 21 times in one day. The same approach, according to him, persisted throughout 2017 and 2018.
“Between January 30 and February 2, 2018, ₦1.09 billion was withdrawn within four days,” Bata stated. “The withdrawals were made by the same individual in cash.”
Funds Moved to Private Firms and Foreign Accounts
The witness also traced inflows from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) into accounts that later made transfers to private firms such as Echies Designs & Cost Associates Ltd and Efab Properties.
He further testified that some funds were wired abroad. Documents tendered by the EFCC showed payments from Whales Oil and Gas and Alyeshua Solutions Services to the American International School, Abuja, including $42,170 and $78,160 for the education of Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello.
“These transfers were not routine government payments,” Bata said, adding that they lacked official documentation or budget approval.
Defence Team Seeks Adjournment
After the testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya requested an adjournment to allow lead lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) time to review the evidence. Although EFCC prosecutor Pinheiro opposed the request, arguing for faster proceedings, trial judge Justice Maryanne Anineh granted it “in the interest of justice.”
The trial was adjourned until Thursday for cross-examination and continuation.
₦110 Billion Fraud Case Background
Yahaya Bello, who governed Kogi from January 2016 to January 2024, faces a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling over ₦110 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the funds were diverted to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and Dubai.
Earlier witnesses from UBA, Ecobank, and Keystone Bank testified about suspicious withdrawals labeled as “special security funds.” One banker revealed that ₦640 million was withdrawn in six days in 2019.
The former governor, now on bail, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Guardian Nigeria and Punch report that the case remains one of Nigeria’s largest ongoing corruption trials.
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