The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged money laundering to January 29 and 30, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the proceedings on Tuesday to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) seventh prosecution witness, Mr Olomotame Egoro, to complete his testimony.
Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was being led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
During the session, Pinheiro sought to tender several documents marked as Exhibits 33 (1–11) and 34.
However, Bello’s counsel, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya (SAN), objected, arguing that the exhibits were unfamiliar to the defence and that the certificate of identification attached to the documents was signed by one Faruk Idiaro, not the witness in the box.
He also contended that the proof of evidence served on the defendant differed from what was being presented in court.
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In response, Pinheiro maintained that while the certificate of identification might differ, the attached documents remained the same.
He requested that the court stand down the matter briefly to allow both parties to verify the documents.
Justice Nwite granted the request, after which the proceedings resumed with Egoro continuing his evidence.
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The witness reviewed statements of account belonging to the Kogi State Government House Administration between December 2018 and August 2021.
He identified several cash withdrawals, including N50 million paid in tranches of N10 million each to one Aminu J.O. on December 21, 2018, and multiple withdrawals to Abdulsalam Hudu on August 1, 2019.
Egoro also examined another account belonging to Fazac Business Enterprise, highlighting inflows from various Kogi local governments between May 6 and May 9, 2022, ranging from N4.49 million to N14.45 million, as well as subsequent withdrawals.
After hours of testimony, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to January 29 and 30 and February 4 and 5, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
It will be recalled that on Monday, the EFCC’s fourth witness, Ms Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, told the court under cross-examination that withdrawals by the Kogi State Government did not breach any banking regulations.
Bata also confirmed that the former governor’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in the accounts tendered by the EFCC.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
