By Peace Udugba
An 18th prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that funds received from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) were commissions paid to his company for services rendered.
The witness, Philip Kuma, an IT expert and owner of Bespoke Business Solutions and Bespoke Global Concept, testified in the ongoing money laundering case filed against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, after a brief recess, Kuma said his company was engaged as lead consultant by KIRS to support tax administration automation and related services.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, the witness said he could not clearly recall whether he personally signed the engagement agreement on behalf of his company.
He identified the shareholders of his company as himself, Margaret Kuma, and Augustine Kuma, adding that there was no board resolution authorising any arrangement to share commissions with third parties described as stakeholders.
Kuma further told the court that the agreement with KIRS did not include any requirement to pay stakeholders any portion of the commission.
Earlier in his testimony-in-chief, he confirmed that the services provided by his company were not offered free of charge.
“We were to receive 15 per cent commission on internally generated revenue (IGR) above the threshold of N350 million,” he said.
He added that the commission was later reviewed downward from 15 per cent to five per cent, attributing the reduction to increased revenue performance and reduced operational costs following automation.
According to him, Yakubu Oseni was the chairman of KIRS at the time his company was engaged.
The witness also confirmed that Jamiu Salawu was not a shareholder in any of the companies mentioned and said there was no memorandum of understanding stipulating payment of any percentage to stakeholders.
“Our work was limited to the automation of tax administration processes, tax audits, taxpayer management within the state, as well as advisory on tax policy and strategy,” he told the court.
Bank statements of Bespoke Business Solutions from Sterling Bank and Zenith Bank were tendered and shown to the witness for identification.
Kuma confirmed that the company continued its engagement with KIRS when Aliu Nda Salami became chairman of the revenue service.
He also acknowledged earlier evidence that 50 per cent of the five per cent commission generated was shared with stakeholders, but clarified that such an arrangement was not contained in any agreement.
When asked about Jamiu Salawu, he said Salawu was the signatory nominated by Senator Yakubu Oseni for the Zenith Bank project account of the company.
He identified inflows from Kogi State, including N4.8 million on January 10, 2018, and N74.3 million on December 6, 2016.
Responding to questions on withdrawals, Pinheiro, SAN, asked whether there were withdrawals by Jamiu Salawu following the inflows, to which the witness answered in the affirmative.
He also confirmed an inflow of N202.3 million on April 21, 2017, and acknowledged cheque withdrawals made by one Yusuf Abdulmumuni.
After the testimony of another witness, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 14, 16, 27, and 28 for continuation of hearing.
