Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, was still on trial on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, for alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud.
According to reports, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello on 19 counts related to money laundering totaling ₦80,246,470,088.88.
Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the proceedings, and the seventh prosecution witness was cross-examined.
Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the prosecution’s attorney, told the court at the reopened hearing that Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7) will be cross-examined and that three witnesses were available.
Access Bank Plc compliance officer Olomotane Egoro, PW7, climbed the witness box and confirmed that he was still under oath.
During defense attorney’s cross-examination, J.B. The witness, Daudu (SAN), affirmed that he provided Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34 and testified in response to a subpoena.
He further informed the court that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court on the same papers, but he was unable to remember which particular defendants were involved or if he had testified as a PW2.
A Certified True Copies (CTC) of the other court’s records were then obtained by the defense.
Pinheiro brought up a procedural point, claiming that the defense had neglected to provide receipts demonstrating payment for the CTCs, even though the prosecution did not contest the documents’ admissibility.
Additionally, he insisted that the witness’s testimony was consistent.
Justice Nwite maintained the objection, holding that the documents may only be allowed if payment receipts were presented.
The defense told the judge that the receipts were still being sought.
Additional cross-examination concentrated on transactions between Abba Adaudu, Fazab Oil, and Keyless Nature Limited.
The witness verified transfers of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million in Abba Adaudu’s favor, as well as a countercheck payment at Access Bank’s Otukpo Branch.
Regarding inflows into local government, PW7 attested that the following sums were paid for certain reasons:
₦7,500,144.61 from the Okehi Local Government to purchase medical supplies;
₦10,863,247.50 for the provision of athletic supplies from Omala Local Government on June 3, 2022;
On June 6, 2022, Yagba East Local Government provided ₦12,228,400.10 to purchase medical supplies.
“Entries in Exhibit 33(11) reflected normal banking transactions,” he continued.
Additionally, according to the witness, the Fazab Oil account opening package was not immediately available but could be obtained upon request.
To continue PW7’s cross-examination, Justice Nwite postponed the case until Thursday, February 5, 2026.
