EFCC Tenders Bank Records in Yahaya Bello ₦110.4bn Fraud Trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented fresh bank statements to the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing ₦110.4 billion fraud trial of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

According to Arise News, the document was presented on Thursday at the hearing, which was presided over by Justice Maryanne Anineh, and the prosecution team was led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

The prosecution brought four bank compliance officers from Zenith Bank, Keystone Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Sterling Bank.

These officers were called in as witnesses to authenticate the documents and explain transactions linked to bank accounts allegedly associated with the defendants.

The records showed a sequence of large transactions from Kogi State government revenue accounts, followed by rapid outflows to various corporate entities.

According to the EFCC, the record includes a ₦10 million cheque issued to co-defendant Abdulsalami Hudu. Along with payments linked to businesses like Dantata and Sawoe Construction.

The records also reflected transactions marked as “security fund” and “His Excellency Special Sec Vote,” followed by transfers to various entities.

The witnesses attested to the veracity of the bank statements and transaction records. However, they informed the court that the documents did not specify the precise uses of the money.

The defence emphasised this restriction during cross-examination, stating that bank records by themselves cannot prove how or why the funds were used.

Yahaya Bello, who did not attend the proceedings, is on trial along with Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts that include money laundering and criminal breach of trust. All defendants have entered not-guilty pleas to the allegations.

The EFCC claims that the defendants misappropriated public funds, including security votes, when Bello was governor of Kogi State. This, they claimed, was done through a complex network of accounts and transactions.

However, the defence contends that Bello was not a direct recipient of the money. He stated that there is no sufficient evidence in the case to connect him directly to the alleged diversion.

Despite the defence attorney’s objections, Justice Anineh accepted the presented exhibits. She postponed the trial to January 16.