Kogi government transactions complied with CBN rules in Yahaya Bello trial

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Yahaya Bello told the Federal High Court in Abuja that transactions linked to the Kogi State Government House account did not violate banking regulations set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, disclosed while being cross-examined during the trial on Tuesday.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu after being charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with 16 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust involving more than ₦110 billion.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Witness says no restrictions placed on account

During cross-examination by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, Egoro told the court that there was no Post-No-Debit instruction placed on the account presented as evidence in the case.

He also stated that the names of Bello and Oricha did not appear in the transaction records linked to the account.

According to the witness, the first entry in the fourteenth column of one of the exhibits tendered before the court showed an inflow of ₦20 million, reportedly for the supply of educational materials.

Egoro further told the court that he could not confirm whether one Siyaka Yakubu, whose name had earlier been mentioned during the prosecution’s examination, was a signatory to the account.

When asked about specific transfers recorded on August 10, 2022, between Fazab Business Enterprise and Abba Adaudu, as well as another transaction on September 13, 2022, between Fazab and Ejadams Essence Limited, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the transfers.

He also stated that he had no knowledge of the business relationship between Abba Adaudu and Fazab Business Enterprise.

Court adjourns trial for continuation

Egoro later confirmed another exhibit presented in court as the account opening package for E-Traders International Limited covering transactions between January 1, 2018, and December 21, 2022.

He said the account was opened at the Mararaba branch of Access Bank, but noted that he could not confirm whether a person identified as Jamilu Abdullahi was a signatory.

The witness also told the court that there was no court order restricting operations on the account, although a Suspicious Transaction Report had been filed in relation to some transactions.

According to him, such reports only indicate suspicion and require further investigation before any conclusion can be reached.

Earlier in the proceedings, the witness confirmed that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, previously mentioned during the trial, was one of the signatories to the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.

He added that Olanrewaju was identified in the account opening documents as a civil servant serving as a director of accounts.

Egoro also told the court that as an official of Access Bank, he was not involved in the internal management of the Kogi Government House account and could not determine the purpose of withdrawals beyond what was stated in the transaction details.

Following the proceedings, the trial judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, adjourned the case until Wednesday for the continuation of cross-examination and further hearing.

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