Yahaya Bello trial exposes massive cash diversions as witnesses detail huge withdrawals from Kogi State accounts before an Abuja High Court

Yahaya Bello trial has taken a damning turn as prosecution witnesses revealed shocking details of how billions were allegedly withdrawn from the Kogi State government’s coffers through suspicious transactions.

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The former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.

Appearing before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the third prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, narrated how massive cash movements were made through the state’s accounts.

Williams told the court that several cheque withdrawals running into hundreds of millions of naira were executed in favour of Abdulsalam Gudu between December 2018 and August 2019.

She disclosed that “On 12 December 2018, there were ten debit transactions of N10 million each, totalling N100 million.

On 4 January 2019, four withdrawals amounted to over N29 million. Similar large transactions occurred on multiple occasions through early 2019.”

According to the witness, the withdrawals were part of a pattern that continued for months, culminating in 64 separate transactions worth N640 million between 31 July and 6 August 2019.

She added that the records were contained in 251 pages of UBA bank statements tendered as exhibits.

The fourth prosecution witness, Jesutomi Akonni, a compliance officer with Ecobank, also testified regarding the account statement of one Moses Wanzo, marked Exhibit H.

She revealed several hefty cash deposits made in early 2016, including N15 million by Abdulwahab Sabo and another N20 million by Shehu Bello.

Counsel to the first defendant, J.B. Dauda, SAN, noted that the EFCC planned to call 16 witnesses during the trial but urged the court to address a pending jurisdictional challenge filed by the defence on September 26, 2025.

Responding, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, dismissed the objection as a self-serving delay tactic, stressing that the defence was attempting to frustrate the trial’s progress after a year of proceedings.

Also read: EFCC reclaims Yahaya Bello properties as appeal court overturns immunity shield

The Yahaya Bello trial continues to attract national attention as the revelations raise deeper questions about accountability and financial governance in Kogi State.