Yahaya Bello in Fresh Battle as EFCC Tenders 13 Exhibits

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recently submitted 13 pieces of evidence in the ongoing trial of former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello at the FCT High Court.

Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer from Access Bank Plc and the tenth prosecution witness, introduced these documents during the proceedings.

The exhibits included account opening packages and statements related to the Kogi state government house administration and associated contractors involved in the transactions currently under scrutiny.

Counsel for the second and third defendants raised objections regarding the admissibility of these documents, claiming that the accompanying certificate of identification did not adhere to the requirements set forth by the Evidence Act.

The defense indicated that they would fully address this issue in their final written submissions.

In response, Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing the EFCC, asserted that the objections were premature and speculative, emphasizing that the prosecution would address the matter at the appropriate time.

The court has provisionally admitted the documents, indicating that their evidential value will be assessed following the resolution of the objections raised.

During examination-in-chief, Egoro outlined inflows and outflows from the government house administration account and also testified on bank records of Fazab Business Enterprise covering transactions between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2024.

Under cross-examination by Paul Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that Fazab Business Enterprise had contractual relationships with several local government areas and that payments were linked to the procurement of educational materials, medical consumables, agricultural inputs and relief supplies.

He acknowledged that he was not the account relationship manager for the local government or contractor accounts and confirmed that Bello did not serve as chairman of any local government during the period under review.

Egoro also testified on transactions involving Westwood Motors Limited, stating that multiple deposits made by local governments were described as loan repayments.

He did not link Bello directly to any of the transactions as a beneficiary or signatory authorising the payments.

The trial was adjourned to March 10, 11 and 12 for continuation of hearing.