Bello is standing trial at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, over alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud continued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, with the court insisting that proper receipts must be produced before Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from another court can be admitted in evidence.
Bello is standing trial at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.
At the resumed proceedings, counsel for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the continuation of the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7).
He added that the prosecution had three witnesses available to testify.
PW7, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was thereafter called to the witness box. He affirmed that he remained under oath and adopted his earlier testimony before the court.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that he testified in the matter pursuant to a subpoena issued by the court.
He also confirmed that he tendered several documents earlier admitted in evidence and marked as Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34.
Egoro further told the court that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court in relation to the same set of documents.
However, he said he could not recall the specific defendants involved in that earlier case or whether he testified as Prosecution Witness Two (PW2) in that proceeding.
Following this disclosure, the defence sought to tender Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from the other Federal High Court where the witness had earlier testified.
While responding, prosecution counsel, Pinheiro informed the court that the EFCC had no objection to the admissibility of the documents in principle.
However, he raised a procedural objection, drawing the attention of the court to the absence of receipts showing payment for the procurement of the Certified True Copies.
According to him, without such receipts, the documents could not be properly admitted in line with established legal procedure. He also maintained that PW7 had been consistent in his testimony across proceedings.
Justice Emeka Nwite, after listening to both parties, upheld the prosecution’s position.
The trial judge ruled that the documents could only be admitted upon the presentation of the requisite receipts evidencing payment for the Certified True Copies. He stressed that compliance with procedural requirements was mandatory.
In response, defence counsel informed the court that efforts were ongoing to retrieve the necessary receipts to enable the documents to be properly tendered and admitted.
The cross-examination of PW7 then continued, with the defence focusing on several bank transactions linked to entities and individuals mentioned in the charge. The witness was questioned extensively on transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and one Abba Adaudu.
Egoro confirmed before the court that a counter cheque payment was made at the Otukpo Branch of Access Bank.
He also confirmed various transfers, including payments of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million, made in favour of Abba Adaudu.
On issues relating to local government inflows into some of the accounts under scrutiny, the witness testified that the funds were paid for specific purposes.
According to him, ₦7,500,144.61 was received from Okehi Local Government for the supply of medical items. He also told the court that ₦10,863,247.50 was paid by Omala Local Government on June 3, 2022, for the supply of sporting materials.
Egoro further testified that ₦12,228,400.10 was received from Yagba East Local Government on June 6, 2022, for the procurement of medical consumables. He maintained that the transactions were clearly described in the bank records presented to the court.
Addressing entries contained in Exhibit 33(11), the witness stated that the transactions reflected therein were consistent with normal banking operations.
He also disclosed that the account opening package of Fazab Oil was not immediately available at the time of his testimony but could be retrieved if required.
However, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW7.