The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged fraud amounting to ₦80.2 billion continued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with the court refusing to admit certain documents due to procedural lapses.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on money laundering and the alleged diversion of public funds totalling ₦80,246,470,088.88.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Emeka Nwite, prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that proceedings were scheduled to continue with the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7). He also disclosed that the prosecution had three witnesses ready to testify.
PW7, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was called to the witness stand, where he confirmed that he was testifying in response to a subpoena issued by the court and adopted his earlier testimony.
During cross-examination by defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that he had earlier tendered documents admitted as Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34. He also disclosed that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court in connection with the same documents, although he could not recall the specific defendants involved or whether he appeared as Prosecution Witness Two in that case.
Following this revelation, the defence applied to tender Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from the earlier proceedings. While the prosecution did not oppose their admissibility in principle, Pinheiro raised a procedural objection, noting that the defence failed to produce receipts showing payment for the procurement of the Certified True Copies.
He argued that without such receipts, the documents could not be lawfully admitted, adding that the witness had remained consistent in his testimonies across proceedings.
Justice Nwite upheld the objection, ruling that the documents would only be admitted upon presentation of evidence of payment for the Certified True Copies. He stressed that compliance with procedural requirements was mandatory.
In response, the defence informed the court that steps were being taken to retrieve the required receipts.
Cross-examination of the witness continued, focusing on several financial transactions linked to Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and Abba Adaudu. Egoro confirmed that a counter cheque payment was made at Access Bank’s Otukpo Branch and acknowledged transfers of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million to Abba Adaudu.
He also testified on funds received from local governments, stating that ₦7,500,144.61 from Okehi Local Government was for the supply of medical items, while ₦10,863,247.50 from Omala Local Government, paid on June 3, 2022, was for sporting materials. Additionally, ₦12,228,400.10 from Yagba East Local Government on June 6, 2022, was for the procurement of medical consumables.
Egoro maintained that all transactions were clearly documented and consistent with standard banking practices. He further noted that the account opening package for Fazab Oil was not immediately available but could be retrieved if required.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination.
