Yahaya Bello Trial Continues as Access Bank Officer Faces Cross-Examination
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, continued before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7).
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80.24 billion.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the cross-examination of PW7, adding that three prosecution witnesses were available. PW7, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, took the witness stand and affirmed that he remained under oath.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that he testified pursuant to a subpoena and tendered Exhibits 32, 33(1–11) and 34. He also disclosed that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court in relation to the same exhibits but could not recall the specific defendants or whether he appeared as PW2.
When the defence sought to tender Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from the other court, the prosecution raised no objection but pointed out that the receipts evidencing payment for the CTCs were not presented. Justice Nwite upheld the objection, ruling that the documents could only be admitted upon presentation of the required receipts. The defence informed the court that efforts were ongoing to retrieve the receipts.
Further questioning focused on bank transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil and Abba Adaudu. The witness confirmed a counter cheque payment at Access Bank’s Otukpo Branch, as well as transfers of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million in favour of Abba Adaudu.
On local government inflows, PW7 testified that funds were received for specific purposes, including ₦7,500,144.61 from Okehi Local Government for the supply of medical items; ₦10,863,247.50 from Omala Local Government on June 3, 2022, for sporting materials; and ₦12,228,400.10 from Yagba East Local Government on June 6, 2022, for medical consumables.
He added that entries in Exhibit 33(11) were consistent with normal banking transactions and that the account opening package for Fazab Oil, though not immediately available, could be retrieved.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW7.
