By Okun Reporter News Desk
The ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, resumed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with more revelations emerging about alleged cash movements from Kogi Local Government statutory accounts.
Bello is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering, involving a staggering sum of ₦80,246,470,088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty-Nine Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo).
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Seventh Prosecution Witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, took the stand for the continuation of his testimony, led by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
Egoro identified several documents already admitted into evidence, including Exhibits 34(1) and 34(2) — the Kogi State Government House Account Administrative Opening Package and the Administrative Statement of Account covering January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2024.
He narrated how the account recorded a pattern of massive cash withdrawals in favour of individuals. On December 21, 2018, for instance, ₦10 million was withdrawn in favour of Aminu Jimoh Olarenwaju, followed by two additional lodgements of the same amount that same day. Similarly, on December 24, 2018, five cash withdrawals of ₦10 million each (₦50 million) were made to the same beneficiary.
Egoro added that on March 8, 2019, the account showed ten separate cash withdrawals of ₦10 million each, totalling ₦100 million, while on August 1, 2019, another ₦300 million was withdrawn in cash by Abdulsalami Hudu — a day after the account had received a ₦300 million inflow. The witness described this pattern of transactions as “suspicious.”
Further testimony focused on Exhibit 33(8) — the statement of account for Faza Business Enterprise, which showed a series of inflows from statutory revenue and VAT accounts belonging to 11 local governments in Kogi State, including Omala, Yagba West, Idah, Okene, Ijumu, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, and Ogori-Magongo, amounting to ₦103,375,059.75 on May 6, 2022.
Additional inflows from Ibaji and Dekina LGAs, totalling ₦14.56 million, were recorded on May 9, 2022, bringing the total to ₦117 million received from 13 local governments.
Egoro testified that between May 9 and May 26, 2022, the funds were withdrawn in cash by one Yakubu Adebenege Siyaka through cheque transactions, leaving a closing balance of about ₦1.4 million.
After hearing the detailed testimony, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter to January 29 and 30, 2026, and February 4 and 5, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Case Title: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) vs Alhaji Yahaya Bello
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