Alleged N110.4bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Details Multiple Cash Withdrawals From State Government Accounts

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting further evidence of numerous suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to Kogi State Government House accounts.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N110.4 billion.

At the resumed hearing, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, continued his testimony, detailing a pattern of large and repeated cash withdrawals made from government accounts between 2016 and 2018.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the witness referred extensively to Exhibit S1, confirming multiple cash withdrawals carried out by the second defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu.

“On the 12th of February 2016, there were 21 withdrawals by Abdulsalami Hudu totaling N200 million,” Bata testified. “On March 10, 2016, I observed several withdrawals amounting to N326,598,750, though the confirmed total stood at N100 million.”

He further noted that on June 3, 8, and 10, 2016, there were withdrawals of N100 million, N100 million, and N119 million respectively, adding that the same withdrawal pattern persisted through June, July, and August 2016.

According to Bata, on August 2, 2016, N50 million was credited from the Kogi State statutory revenue account, followed by N50 million from Idhu Integrated Services on August 9, and ?15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance on August 10.

He stated that on August 31, 2016, there were 21 withdrawals totaling N188,741,000, while on October 27, 21 withdrawals amounted to N188,216,155, and on December 21, 40 separate withdrawals were made by Hudu on the same day.

Continuing his account, the witness revealed that on May 9, 2017, 29 withdrawals totaling N203,240,000 were recorded; 36 withdrawals were made on October 12, 2017; and 20 withdrawals totaling N200 million were executed on November 1, 2017.

He added that on January 30 and 31, 2018, cash withdrawals of N350 million and N347,267,000 were made, followed by N300 million and N99,177,300 withdrawn on February 1 and 2, 2018, respectively — bringing total withdrawals within four days to N1,096,044,300.

Bata further testified that as of November 14, 2016, the account had a zero balance, with the first credit entry of N74,378,483.20 recorded on December 6, 2016, followed the same day by N30 million in cash withdrawals in favour of Mohammed Jamiu Salihu.

He said N40 million was transferred to Echies Designs and Cost Associate Limited on December 9, 2016, and that on April 21, 2017, an inflow of N202,302,745.20 from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service was followed by 11 withdrawals totaling N101 million by Yusuf Abdulmumini.

The withdrawals, he added, continued with N66 million withdrawn on April 24, 2017, and further inflows and transactions through August 2017, including N70 million transferred to Efab Properties and N18 million withdrawn by Umar Comfort.

The EFCC also tendered Exhibit R1, a U.S. dollar account statement belonging to Whales Oil and Gas, which reflected an $11,000 transfer on November 12, 2021, to Academic Services Farida Oricha at the American International School.

Bata equally referred to Exhibit P1 (Alyeshua Solutions Services account statement), confirming two debit transactions on January 21 and 25, 2021, amounting to $42,170 and $78,160, paid to the American International School, Abuja, for Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello, respectively.

Following the witness’s detailed testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, requested an adjournment to allow the lead defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, to cross-examine the witness the next day, citing his late arrival and the need to review the extensive evidence presented.

However, Pinheiro, SAN, objected, arguing that the defence had no valid reason for the delay.

“The defence team was present when this witness began his testimony. All documents were tendered in their presence. EFCC is ready to proceed daily — adjournments should not be granted as a matter of routine,” he submitted.

Yahaya maintained that an earlier understanding between both parties allowed for the adjournment, emphasizing fairness and due process.

In her ruling, Justice Anineh noted that while adjournments are not automatic, the court may grant one when it serves the interest of justice.

“I have considered the application for adjournment. Although such requests are discretionary, I believe that, in the interest of justice, the matter should be adjourned till Thursday, November 13, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of trial,” she ruled.