THIS DAWN — The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, resumed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensifying its case through fresh revelations about alleged massive and repeated cash withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House accounts.
Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling ₦110.4 billion. The case, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anineh, has drawn significant national attention due to the scale of alleged misappropriation and the involvement of senior state officials.
Witness Reveals Repeated Withdrawals Worth Billions
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, continued his testimony under subpoena. Led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Bata presented detailed financial transactions drawn from Exhibit S1 — a key bank statement tendered in evidence.
Bata outlined a disturbing pattern of large, frequent cash withdrawals made by Abdulsalami Hudu, one of the defendants, and other individuals linked to the Kogi State Government House between 2016 and 2018.
“On February 12, 2016, there were 21 separate withdrawals totaling ₦200 million,” Bata testified. “Similarly, on March 10, 2016, numerous withdrawals amounting to ₦326,598,750 were observed, though the confirmed total was ₦100 million.”
He continued: “On June 3, 8, and 10, 2016, ₦100 million, ₦100 million, and ₦119 million were withdrawn respectively.” The witness added that the trend persisted throughout June and July, with Hudu making consistent cash withdrawals.
Unusual Patterns in Government Accounts
Bata further revealed that between August and October 2016, the pattern of withdrawals continued in identical fashion. “On August 2, 2016, ₦50 million came in from the Kogi State statutory revenue account. Another ₦50 million was received from Idhu Integrated Services on August 9, and ₦15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance on August 10,” he said.
He then confirmed that on August 31, 2016, Hudu made 21 withdrawals totaling ₦188,741,000, while on October 27, there were 21 withdrawals amounting to ₦188,216,155. In December 2016, the pattern escalated — “there were 40 withdrawals on December 21 alone,” Bata told the court.
By early 2018, the volume of transactions had peaked. “On January 30 and 31, ₦350 million and ₦347,267,000 were withdrawn, while on February 1 and 2, ₦300 million and ₦99,177,300 were withdrawn respectively,” he disclosed, summing up ₦1.096 billion withdrawn within four days.
The witness added that Exhibit S1 reflected a zero balance as of November 14, 2016, with a first credit entry of ₦74.3 million recorded on December 6, 2016. “On that same day, ₦30 million was withdrawn in favour of Mohammed Jamiu Salihu,” he said. Subsequent inflows included ₦202 million from Kogi State Internal Revenue, followed by 11 withdrawals totaling ₦101 million and another ₦66 million withdrawn within three days.
Foreign Transactions and Dollar Accounts
The EFCC also tendered Exhibit R1, a U.S. dollar account statement belonging to Whales Oil and Gas Ltd. The witness confirmed an outward transfer on November 12, 2021: “There was a transfer of $11,000 to Academic Services Farida Oricha at America International School.”
He further cited Exhibit P1, belonging to Alyeshua Solutions Services, which showed payments on January 21 and 25, 2021, amounting to $42,170 and $78,160 respectively. “The beneficiaries were Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello, with payments made to the American International School, Abuja,” Bata stated.
Defence Pushes for Adjournment
Following the detailed testimony, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, counsel to the first defendant, requested an adjournment to allow lead counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN to conduct cross-examination. Yahaya argued that Daudu had arrived late and required time to review the extensive testimony.
Prosecutor Pinheiro, SAN opposed the motion, insisting that the defence was present when proceedings began and that no valid grounds for adjournment existed. “EFCC is ready to proceed every day until the matter is concluded. Adjournments should not be granted as a matter of course,” he said.
Justice Anineh, ruling on the motion, acknowledged that while adjournments are discretionary, justice required flexibility. “Adjournments are not automatic; however, in the interest of justice, this matter is adjourned till Thursday, November 13, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of trial,” she ruled.
The trial is expected to continue with cross-examination of the bank compliance officer, as the EFCC seeks to establish how over ₦110 billion allegedly moved from Kogi State Government accounts through a network of personal and corporate transactions under Bello’s administration.
