A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the ongoing N80.2 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is politically motivated and not a genuine money laundering case.
Daudu, who represents Bello, made the submission during proceedings in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. His remarks followed the assertion by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the payment methods adopted by local government areas in Kogi State amounted to “stealing by disguise.”
During cross-examination, the seventh prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, made several admissions that the defence relied upon. The witness confirmed that Bello never served as a local government chairman in any of Kogi State’s 21 local government areas. He further acknowledged that Bello’s name did not appear as either sender or recipient in any of the local government transactions under investigation.
The banker also stated that entries in Exhibit 33(11), detailing transactions between local governments and Keyless Nature Limited, appeared consistent with regular banking operations. He admitted that he had no knowledge of the purpose of the listed transactions and could not confirm any contractual relationship between the local governments and the companies involved.
Additionally, the witness confirmed that the bank was not operating under any court order concerning the transactions and had no report of fraud linked to them. Payments listed in evidence covered supplies such as reading materials, medical items, sporting equipment, agrochemicals, and farm inputs across several local government areas.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to February 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of trial. The proceedings continue amid arguments from the defence that the case lacks direct transactional evidence linking Bello to the alleged offences.
