By: Peace Udugba -The daily torch
Counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the former governor is facing a political trial rather than a genuine money laundering prosecution.
Daudu made the submission on Wednesday during the ongoing trial instituted against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His argument followed comments earlier made in open court by EFCC counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who described the mode of payments by local government areas in Kogi State as “stealing by disguise.”
However, the defence position gained support from the testimony of the seventh prosecution witness, Mr. Olomotane Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc, who confirmed under oath that Bello’s name was not linked to any of the transactions under investigation.
While testifying, the banker stated that the former governor neither served as a local government chairman in Kogi State nor appeared as a sender or recipient of funds in any of the local government transactions tendered before the court.
Egoro explained that the contracts referenced in the case were awarded by local government chairmen to contractors for various purposes, as reflected in the bank statements of companies admitted as exhibits.
Under cross-examination by Daudu, SAN, the witness reiterated that the name “Yahaya Bello” did not feature in any of the transactions, either as beneficiary or initiator of payments from the 21 local government areas.
He also admitted that, based on Exhibit 33(11), transactions between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited appeared consistent with normal banking operations.
Responding to questions on multiple payments made on October 11, 2022, into the account of Keyless Nature Limited, the witness told the court that he did not know the specific purposes of the transactions. He further admitted that the records did not indicate whether there was any contractual relationship between the company and the local governments.
Egoro also agreed that customers are entitled to spend their funds freely unless fraud is established, confirming that Access Bank was neither under a court order nor had any fraud report concerning the transactions in Exhibit 33(11).
On payments made to Fayzade Business Enterprise, the witness identified an inflow on May 6, 2022, from Okene Local Government Area, stating that the purpose was for the supply of reading materials.
He further listed other payments from Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala and Yagba local government areas as covering education materials worth ₦4.4 million, medical items valued at ₦7.5 million, sporting equipment worth ₦10.8 million, and medical consumables amounting to ₦12.2 million.
According to the witness, additional payments were made for agrochemicals, farm inputs, and other medical consumables.
When asked directly whether Yahaya Bello was a local government chairman in Kogi State, the witness replied in the negative.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to February 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of trial.
