Abuja_The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on a ₦80.2 billion money laundering charge continued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of laundering ₦80,246,470,088.88.
EFCC arraigns man for alleged ₦150m fraud in Delta
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the session was scheduled for the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc. Egoro affirmed that he remained under oath.
During cross-examination by Bello’s lawyer, J.B. Daudu, SAN, Egoro confirmed that he had testified pursuant to a subpoena and tendered Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34. He also acknowledged having testified previously before another Federal High Court regarding the same documents, but could not recall the specific defendants involved or his witness number in that case.
The defence sought to admit Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the documents from the other court. While the prosecution raised no objection to the documents themselves, Pinheiro cited the absence of receipts evidencing payment for the CTCs as a procedural issue. Justice Nwite agreed, ruling that the documents could only be admitted upon presentation of the receipts. The defence informed the court that efforts were underway to obtain the required evidence.
Cross-examination also focused on bank transactions linked to Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and Abba Adaudu. Egoro confirmed a counter cheque payment at Access Bank’s Otukpo Branch and transfers, including ₦200,000 and ₦8 million, made in favour of Abba Adaudu.
The witness further detailed local government inflows, including: N7,500,144.61 from Okehi Local Government for medical supplies; N10,863,247.50 from Omala Local Government for sporting materials; and, N12,228,400.10 from Yagba East Local Government for medical consumables.
He added that entries in Exhibit 33(11) reflected normal banking transactions and that Fazab Oil’s account opening package was not immediately available but could be retrieved.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of PW7’s cross-examination.
