The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has again shifted forward the corruption trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, as proceedings on Monday ended with the tendering of additional banking records and cross-examination of a key witness.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed November 11, 2025, for the continuation of the case, which centers on allegations that Bello misappropriated ₦80.2 billion in public funds during his administration.
Bello, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is accused of orchestrating a complex network of withdrawals, transfers, and cash movements involving aides, state accounts, and private companies. Monday’s proceedings focused on tracing those transactions.
The fourth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, explained that records showed repeated cash withdrawals of ₦10 million from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account. The withdrawals were allegedly made by two individuals, Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.
Arhyel also identified several hotel payments linked to the same account, naming establishments such as Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels.
Next to testify was Jesutoni Akoni of Ecobank, who presented the bank statement of Moses Wadzu Ileku covering January to December 2016.
The statement showed multiple deposits, some as high as ₦20 million, from individuals including Ileku himself, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello.
Akoni informed the court that the records were submitted to help investigators trace financial flows connected to the alleged diversion scheme.
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Keystone Bank official Mohammed Bello Hassan also appeared, tendering the account statement of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company.
He confirmed that between February 17 and 22, 2021, the account received transfers amounting to ₦100 million from two individuals, Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak. The EFCC alleges these payments form part of the broader network of fund movement under scrutiny.
The day’s proceedings continued with testimony from Access Bank representative Olomotane Egoro, who supplied 12 sets of bank documents under subpoena.
Although some account packages were reported missing, Egoro said the bank was able to produce comprehensive customer details from its database.
All documents presented by the witnesses were admitted into evidence by the court.
Following the submissions, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until November 11 for the EFCC to continue calling witnesses and for further cross-examination.
The adjournment marks another step in a case closely watched nationwide, as Bello remains one of the highest-profile former governors to face prosecution for alleged large-scale financial misconduct.
