By Sola Ojo, Abuja
The sixth prosecution witness (PW6) in the ongoing Kogi State fraud trial testified before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Remigius Egu detailed how funds from various Kogi State Local Government Areas (LGAs) were allegedly diverted and laundered through private accounts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ali Bello, Yakubu Isiaka Adabenege, Abba Adaudu, and Iyada Sadat on 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation, involving over N3 billion. Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, is also the current Chief of Staff to Governor Usman Ododo.
Led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Egu, a Zenith Bank Compliance Officer, identified “Exhibits E and E1” as bank-originated documents. He confirmed a letter dated 16 March 2022, addressed to the EFCC Zonal Commander, linked to Adabenege’s account, the second defendant, with transaction evidence.
Egu outlined multiple large inflows into Korforte Concept Limited’s account on 4 October 2023 from Kogi LGAs: Ogori Magongo (N14,844,640.57), Ibeji (N18,629,944.51), Adavi (N20,887,557.54), Kogi (N17,929.59), Kabba/Bunu (N18,460,569.12), Ajaokuta (N22,764,334.70), Okene (N20,758,710.37), Yagba West (N18,234,063.61), and Ofu (N21,368,633.69). “My Lord, all the inflows were received on 4 October 2023,” he said. Before these, the account held just N7,370. That day, N110 million was transferred to Adaudu, a defendant.
He added that on 5 October 2018, more funds flowed in: Igalamela/Odolu (N19,480,651.20), Olamaboro (N19,089,517.01), Dekina (N23,373,201.67), Ibaji (N15,653,631.39), Omala (N16,876,252.03), and Lokoja (N20,591,073.74). That same day, N21.9 million went to Musa Omuya. On 8 October 2018, Ijumu (N17,369,243.52) and Bassa (N17,471,549.57) added funds. By 10 October 2018, transactions included N10 million to Omuya and N5.1 million and N5 million to Adaudu.
Earlier, the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), Oyinkosola Akerele Shukurat, Managing Director of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, testified. Her firm, also in forex trading, received payment from Abdul Bashir to buy US dollars. These funded school fees at the American International School (AIS) for Fatima Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Zara Bello, totalling $139,000. She identified payments on “Exhibit D” pages 14-15 ($49,600, with $44,700 to AIS for Fatima Bello), page 23 ($44,700 for Fatima), and $44,700 for Na’ima. Defence counsels A.M. Aliyu (SAN) and Nureini Jimoh (SAN) cross-examined her.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to 5, 19, 20, and 21 May 2025 for continuation.