EFCC witness reveals how N117m was moved from Kogi LG accounts

A prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olomotane Egoro, on Tuesday disclosed how about ₦117 million was transferred from the accounts of 13 local government areas in Kogi State.

Egoro, who serves as a compliance officer at Access Bank, made the revelation while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Appearing as the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Egoro detailed the transactions under examination by EFCC counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

Egoro, appearing as the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), was examined by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), before Justice Emeka Nwite.

He told the court that out of the ₦117 million deposited into the accounts of the 13 LGAs, ₦115 million was later withdrawn in cash through cheques by one Yakubu Adadenega Siaka.

According to the witness, the funds were credited on May 6, 2022, to the accounts of the following local government areas: Yagba East, Omala, Yagba West, Idah, Okene, Ijumu, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Ogori-Mangogo, Igalamela-Odolu, Ibaji, and Dekina.

The ongoing trial involves former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is accused of diverting and misappropriating ₦80.2 billion in state funds during his tenure.

Earlier in the day, proceedings also featured the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, alongside testimonies from three other bank officials from Ecobank, Keystone Bank, and Access Bank.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu (SAN), Arhyel confirmed that multiple cash withdrawals—each in tranches of ₦10 million—were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.

He also revealed 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.

Another witness, Jesutoni Akoni (PW5), a compliance officer with Ecobank Nigeria Limited, testified under subpoena and produced the statement of account of one Moses Wadzu Ileku (January–December 2016), admitted as Exhibit 29. He identified deposits ranging from ₦3 million to ₦20 million made by Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello.

Similarly, Mohammed Bello Hassan (PW6), a relationship officer with Keystone Bank, testified under subpoena and tendered the account statement of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, admitted as Exhibit 31. Hassan told the court that between February 17 and 22, 2021, a total of ₦100 million was transferred into the account by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak, though he did not personally know them.

The session concluded with Egoro’s (PW7) presentation of 12 sets of documents in compliance with a court subpoena. He added that while some account-opening packages were unavailable, the bank provided all necessary customer details retrieved from its database.

Justice Nwite adjourned further hearing to a later date for continuation of trial.