The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting further evidence of suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to the Kogi State Government House accounts.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16‑count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving approximately ₦110.4 billion.
At the resumed hearing, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, continued his evidence‑in‑chief. Led under subpoena by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Bata narrated a pattern of large, repeated cash withdrawals made by Abdulsalami Hudu and others between 2016 and 2018.
He detailed multiple transactions, including:
– 21 withdrawals totaling ₦200 million on February 12, 2016.
– Withdrawals of ₦100 million, ₦100 million, and ₦119 million on June 3, 8, and 10, 2016.
– 40 withdrawals in one day on December 21, 2016.
– 29 withdrawals totaling ₦203,240,000 on May 9, 2017.
– Cash withdrawals exceeding ₦1.09 billion between January 30 and February 2, 2018.
The witness also confirmed inflows from statutory revenue accounts and transfers to private companies, including Efab Properties and Echies Designs, as well as payments to individuals such as Mohammed Jamiu Salihu and Umar Comfort.
Further evidence included foreign currency transactions. Exhibit R1, a USD account statement of Whales Oil and Gas, showed a transfer of $11,000 to an American school. Exhibit P1 revealed payments of $42,170 and $78,160 from Alyeshua Solutions Services to the American International School, Abuja, in favour of Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello.
Following the testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, sought an adjournment to enable lead counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, to study the evidence before cross‑examination. Pinheiro opposed, arguing that the defence had no valid justification, stressing that the EFCC was prepared to proceed without delay.
Ruling on the application, Justice Anineh held that while adjournments are discretionary and not automatic, the court would grant one “in the interest of justice.” The matter was adjourned to Thursday, November 13, 2025, for cross‑examination and continuation of trial.
