Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday continued the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, with the 10th prosecution witness maintaining that the disputed cash withdrawals complied with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations.
Olomotane Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc, told the Federal High Court that the withdrawals referenced in his testimony were carried out in line with existing banking guidelines. Egoro, who has worked with Access Bank since May 2023, confirmed that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju — identified as a signatory to the Kogi State Government House Administration Account — executed several of the transactions under scrutiny.
Under cross-examination, the witness stated that account-opening documents showed Olanrewaju was a civil servant and Director of Accounts in the Kogi State Government Administration. He clarified that, as a bank official, he was not privy to how the government utilized the withdrawn funds beyond the transaction descriptions provided.
Egoro further testified that former Governor Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions presented before the court. He also confirmed that Bello was not linked to the financial dealings between Kogi local government areas and entities such as Fazab Business Enterprise.
When questioned about specific transactions, the witness confirmed that a payment of N14,453,900.84 dated May 6, 2022, was recorded for the supply of reading materials to Okene Local Government Area. Other transactions listed purposes including procurement of sporting equipment, agrochemicals, farm inputs, relief materials, and medical consumables.
He disclosed that multiple N10 million withdrawals were made between January 15 and 16, 2018, by Olanrewaju, and on March 8, 2018, by Abdulsalami Hudu. The bank, he said, filed Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in accordance with standard compliance procedures.
The court admitted into evidence a subpoena signed by the Managing Director of Access Bank, containing statements of account for the Kogi State Government House Administration from January 2016 to January 2024, alongside statements from 11 companies, including Westwood Motors Limited, Fozad Oil and Gas Limited, and Keyless Nature Limited.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Z.E. Abbas, objected to the admissibility of the documents, citing alleged non-compliance with the Evidence Act. Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, described the objection as a “fishing expedition.” Justice Maryann Anenih admitted the documents provisionally, stating that their evidential weight would be determined at a later stage.
The Kogi Government House Account was marked as Exhibits AH1 and AH2, while the companies’ statements were labeled AG to AR.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to March 10, 11, and 12, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
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