Witness Says Yahaya Bello Not Linked to Accounts on Money Laundering Trial
By Mercy Omotosho
A witness, Olomotane Egoro in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adozi Bello, has told a Federal High Court, Abuja that Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary or signatory in several bank accounts under scrutiny.
The case under trial Justice Emeka Nwite, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024.
During cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, the defence questioned multiple transactions across several corporate and government-linked accounts earlier tendered as exhibits by the prosecution.
Egoro confirmed that Exhibit 33A, a statement of account, showed an outflow of ₦20 million on June 21, 2022, with the narration stating it was for the “supply of educational materials.”
When asked if the transaction was a cash withdrawal, the witness replied,
“It is not a cash withdrawal, my Lord.”
However, Egoro told the court he did not know the beneficiary of the transaction.
The defence drew the witness’s attention to multiple cash withdrawals made by Yakubu Isiaka between January 9, 2019 and December 30, 2022. Egoro confirmed that over ₦582 million was withdrawn within the period from the account marked Exhibit 33(8).
He further confirmed that all the withdrawals were within the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cash withdrawal threshold, adding that the bank would refuse payment if the threshold was exceeded.
“When it is not within the cash withdrawal threshold, we would not pay,” Egoro said.
The witness also admitted that he did not know the purpose of the withdrawals, nor the relationship between Yakubu Isiaka and Fasak Business Enterprises, and could not confirm whether Isiaka was a signatory since the account opening package was not tendered.
Egoro confirmed under cross-examination that Access Bank filed Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) in respect of some of the transactions but said the law forbids disclosure of the contents.
“We filed STRs, but by law, we are not required to disclose the details,” he said.
When pressed on where the reports were filed, he explained that they were sent to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The defence questioned how an STR could be filed without knowing the signatories to the account. This line of questioning drew objections from the prosecution, who argued that questions touching on the contents of STRs not before the court were impermissible under the Evidence Act.
Justice Nwite referred to earlier court records, noting that the witness had previously explained the meaning and purpose of STRs during testimony in November and December 2025.
Explaining why certain transactions were flagged, Egoro said the bank relied on transaction patterns and customer profiles, not hearsay.
“From the statement of account, it clearly shows that the customer receives inflows from government accounts for supply of items. But most of the money is withdrawn in cash. This does not fit the profile of a government contractor,” he said.
He added that while customers are free to use their money, banks are obligated to report transactions that “do not align with the customer’s profile or fall under money laundering typologies.”
On whether cash withdrawals for relief materials were necessarily suspicious, Egoro explained that transactions must be commercially justifiable, stressing that relief contracts were expected to involve payments to suppliers, not extensive cash withdrawals.
The defence also examined Exhibits 34(1) and 34(2), relating to Kogi State Government House accounts.
Egoro confirmed that the accounts were domiciled in Lokoja and that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, described as Director of Accounts, was a signatory
He admitted he did not know the purpose of multiple cash withdrawals made by Olanrewaju and Abdulsalami Hudu, though he confirmed the withdrawals did not exceed CBN thresholds.
Crucially, Egoro told the court that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary or signatory in the accounts.
“No, my Lord, his name does not appear,” he said.
The witness also testified on accounts belonging to E-Traders International Limited, Kilesh Nature Limited, Hayzme Business Enterprises and Westwood Motors Limited, admitting repeatedly that he did not know the purpose of most transactions or the business relationships between the parties involved.
On the E-Traders account, Egoro confirmed that although deposits totalling over ₦3.1 billion were made, the bank
allowed the transactions while filing STRs because no court order or fraud allegation existed.
“The bank has a duty to accept deposits and a responsibility to file reports when deposits do not align with the customer’s profile,” he said.
Again, he confirmed that Yahaya Bello was not named as a beneficiary in those accounts.
Following the conclusion of PW7’s testimony, the prosecution called Prosecution Witness Eight (PW8), Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
Ochoche appeared in court pursuant to a subpoena, which was tendered and admitted as Exhibit 36. The prosecution also tendered the statement of account and account opening package of Kumfayaku Global Limited, admitted as Exhibit 37.
Ochoche testified that the account showed several large inflows, including ₦100 million and ₦400 million transfers from Kilesh Nature Limited, as well as multiple transfers involving American International School, Gadankaya Global Concept, and Edgerdams Essence Limited, totalling hundreds of millions of naira.
Defence counsel J.B. Daudu (SAN) requested time to study the new evidence before cross-examination. However, objections were made from the prosecution.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to March 3 and March 9, 2026, for continuation of trial.
