₦80.2bn fraud: Court adjourns Bello’s trial to November 11

Nkereuwem Effiong

The trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Monday, November 10, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with further testimonies from witnesses called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Bello is being prosecuted for the alleged diversion and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government during his tenure as governor.

Monday’s proceedings featured the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank. Arhyel confirmed that several cash withdrawals — each amounting to ₦10 million — were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.

He also disclosed that several hotels, including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels, were beneficiaries of transactions from the same account.

Following the cross-examination, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) declined re-examination, and the witness was discharged.

The prosecution then called Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank Nigeria Limited, as PW5. Appearing under subpoena, Akoni tendered the statement of account of Moses Wadzu Ileku, covering January to December 2016, which was admitted as Exhibit 29. She identified multiple deposits made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging from ₦3 million to ₦20 million.

The sixth witness (PW6), Mohammed Bello Hassan, a relationship officer with Keystone Bank, also appeared under subpoena.

He produced the account statement of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, admitted as Exhibit 31, and testified that ₦100 million was transferred into the account between February 17 and 22, 2021, by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak. Under cross-examination, he said he did not personally know the individuals involved.

The day’s proceedings concluded with the testimony of Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, who appeared as PW7.

Egoro tendered 12 sets of documents in compliance with a subpoena and informed the court that while some account opening packages were missing, the bank had provided sufficient customer details from its database. The documents were admitted in evidence without objection.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case to Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation of the trial.