EFCC Witness Details Cash Withdrawals in Yahaya Bello N110bn Fraud Trial

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday presented detailed evidence of several suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly connected to accounts linked with the Kogi State Government during the ongoing trial of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The trial, held at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, is being presided over by Justice Maryanne Anineh. Bello is facing a 16-count charge of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion, alongside two co-defendants — Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Shuaibu Oricha.

Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank and the EFCC’s sixth witness, testified under the examination of prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro. He detailed how the Kogi Government House account recorded multiple withdrawals of N10 million each, totalling over N1 billion, between February 2016 and February 2018.

Bata also revealed that the account received inflows from the state’s statutory revenue account and private companies, including N50 million from Idhu Integrated Services and N15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance. He noted that despite large deposits, the account balance occasionally dropped to zero before new credits arrived, including N74.3 million credited on December 6, 2016, the same day N30 million was withdrawn in favour of an individual identified as Mohammed Jamiu Salihu.

The witness further pointed to documents showing foreign currency transfers to the American International School, Abuja, and transactions involving private firms such as Alyeshua Solutions Services and Whales Oil and Gas.

After the testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya requested an adjournment, saying the lead defence lawyer, J.B. Daudu, needed time to review the witness’s evidence before cross-examination. The EFCC objected, insisting the documents had been previously shared with both parties.

Justice Anineh, ruling on the motion, said adjournments rest on the court’s discretion but could be allowed in the interest of fairness. The case was adjourned to November 13, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of trial.