The Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, November 10, 2025, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, till Tuesday, November 11, for continuation of hearing in the alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter after a long day of proceedings that featured the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, and the testimonies of three other witnesses from Zenith Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, and Access Bank.
Bello is standing trial for allegedly diverting and misappropriating Kogi State funds during his tenure as governor.
During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), continued the cross-examination of Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, who had earlier testified as the fourth prosecution witness.
Arhyel confirmed that several cash withdrawals were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke in multiples of ₦10 million.
He further disclosed that several hotels, including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels, benefited from various transactions linked to the account.
After 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 the fifth prosecution witness (PW5). Akoni, who appeared under subpoena, presented and tendered the statement of account of one Moses Wadzu Ileku, covering January to December 2016. The document was admitted in evidence as Exhibit 29.
She identified several deposits made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging from ₦3 million to ₦20 million.
The sixth prosecution witness (PW6), Mohammed Bello Hassan, a relationship officer with Keystone Bank, also appeared under subpoena. He produced the statement of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, admitted as Exhibit 31.
Hassan testified that between February 17 and 22, 2021, a total of ₦100 million was transferred into the company’s account by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak. He, however, told the court under cross-examination that he did not personally know the two individuals.
The day’s proceedings ended with the testimony of the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank. Egoro, who also appeared under subpoena, produced 12 sets of documents in compliance with the court order.
He told the court that while some account opening packages could not be retrieved, the bank provided customer details extracted from its database. The documents were admitted in evidence without objection after clarifications between the prosecution and defence teams.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter till Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation of the trial.
