The corruption trial of Nigeria’s former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, continued in Abuja on Thursday, with bank officials detailing a series of high-value transactions involving state accounts and private companies.
Mr. Bello is facing 16 counts of money laundering and criminal breach of trust brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Prosecutors allege that he and two others diverted approximately 110.4 billion naira (£55m) during his time in office.
In a packed courtroom at the FCT High Court, witnesses from four major Nigerian banks provided a paper trail that prosecutors say links state funds to private expenses and construction firms.
‘Security votes’ and school fees
A compliance officer from Zenith Bank testified that while Mr. Bello was in office, millions of naira were withdrawn from the “Government House” account using cheques.
The court heard of specific entries described as “His Excellency Special Sec Vote” and “payment of sec/fund.” While the bank official admitted he could not verify exactly how the cash was spent, he confirmed that large sums—including tranches of 10 million naira—were frequently withdrawn by the third defendant, an accountant.
In a more personal allegation, an official from FCMB presented records showing a 30 million naira debit from a private company account in 2021. The narration for the transfer was listed as payment to the “American International School” for an individual named Abdul Bashir.
Construction firm payments
The prosecution also turned its focus to a major construction company, Dantata and Sawoe. A witness from Keystone Bank testified that in early 2021, the firm’s account received a series of 10 million naira transfers from various individuals in a single day, totalling 100 million naira.
Further evidence from Sterling Bank highlighted massive inflows from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service to a private business solutions firm. These included:
- March 2019: Over 138 million naira.
- May 2019: Over 136 million naira.
- August 2019: A payment for “contractors” exceeding 183 million naira.
The defence reacts
Lawyers for Mr. Bello and his co-defendants questioned the witnesses’ personal knowledge of the transactions, pointing out that some were “executive trainees” who were not the original account officers.
The defence also argued that the payments made by the state’s accountant were merely part of his official duties and that the former governor was not the only individual authorised to operate the Government House accounts.
Justice Maryanne Anineh adjourned the trial until Friday, 16 January, when more witnesses are expected to testify. The case is being closely watched across Nigeria as a test of the government’s resolve to prosecute high-ranking former officials for the alleged diversion of public funds.
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