A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that financial records presented as exhibits do not link the ex-governor to contract-related transactions. The witness, Olomotane Egoro, who appeared on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made the disclosure while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Egoro, an Access Bank official, stated during cross-examination that Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary or signatory in any of the account opening packages or transaction records submitted as evidence. He also told the court that none of the transactions in Exhibit 33(8), which contained statements of account, mentioned the former governor.
The witness said the accounts under review belonged to several companies, including E. Traders International Limited, Keyless Nature Limited, Westwood Motors Limited, and Fazab Business Enterprise, which were allegedly awarded contracts by local government councils in Kogi State. After reviewing the documents, he maintained that Bello was not identified as a participant in the transactions linked to the firms.
Egoro also addressed concerns about alleged suspicious transactions, stating that not all cash withdrawals or transfers could be classified as illegal. He cited an example of a ₦20 million withdrawal reportedly used to supply educational materials, insisting such a transaction would not automatically qualify as suspicious under financial monitoring regulations.
Further testimony revealed that certain withdrawals made between May and December 2022 were within the cash withdrawal limits set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The witness also confirmed that individuals such as Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju and Abdulsalam Hudu carried out withdrawals from government accounts but noted that Bello’s name did not appear in the related exhibits or as a signatory to the accounts.
Following the proceedings, the prosecution called another witness from First City Monument Bank (FCMB), who reviewed transactions linked to other companies connected to the case. The trial was subsequently adjourned to March 3 and 9, 2026, for continuation of hearings.
