The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to March 10, 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
At the resumed proceedings, the 10th prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olomotane Egoro, told the court that the cash withdrawals referenced in his testimony did not contravene any law and were consistent with the Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines.
Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc who joined the bank in May 2023, confirmed that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju was a signatory to the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
He added under cross-examination that Olanrewaju, according to the account opening documents, is a civil servant and Director of Accounts in the Kogi State Government.
The witness said he was not involved in the internal operations of the Government House account and could not determine the purpose of the withdrawals beyond what was stated in the transaction records.
He also admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions tendered before the court.
During cross-examination by Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed that a payment of N14,453,900.84 on May 6, 2022, was for the supply of reading materials to Okene Local Government.
He also identified other payments for items such as agrochemicals, farm inputs, sporting equipment, relief materials and medical consumables across various local government areas.
Egoro further disclosed that multiple N10m cash withdrawals were made between January 15 and 16, 2018, by Olanrewaju, and on March 8 of the same year by Abdulsalami Hudu.
He said the bank filed Suspicious Transaction Reports with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit in line with standard procedure.
The court admitted in evidence a subpoena issued by the Managing Director of Access Bank, which included statements of account of the Kogi Government House Administration from January 2016 to January 2024, as well as records of 11 companies.
Despite objections by counsel to the second and third defendants, Justice Maryann Anenih admitted the documents, ruling that issues of admissibility would be determined at the appropriate stage before adjourning the matter.