The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented further evidence of suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to Kogi State Government House accounts.

Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, detailed repeated large cash withdrawals made by Hudu and others from the government accounts between 2016 and 2018.

Led under subpoena by Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Bata walked the court through several entries in Exhibit S1, confirming multiple withdrawals by Hudu.

“On February 12, 2016, there were 21 withdrawals by Abdulsalami Hudu totaling ₦200 million,” Bata said. “Similarly, on March 10, 2016, I observed numerous withdrawals amounting to ₦326,598,750. However, after reviewing, I can confirm that the total was ₦100 million.”

He further disclosed withdrawals on June 3, 8, and 10, 2016, of ₦100 million, ₦100 million, and ₦119 million, respectively, noting that the pattern of withdrawals remained consistent throughout June and July.

Bata also testified about the source of funds:

“On August 2, 2016, there was an inflow of ₦50 million from Kogi State statutory revenue account. Other inflows followed, including ₦50 million from Idhu Integrated Services on August 9, and ₦15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance on August 10.”

He confirmed further withdrawals on multiple dates through 2016, 2017, and early 2018, including ₦1.096 billion withdrawn over four days in January and February 2018.

The witness also referenced other exhibits, including Exhibit R1, a USD account statement from Whales Oil and Gas, confirming an outward transfer of $11,000 to Academic Services Farida Oricha, Corporate Ibank FX, America International School, and Exhibit P1, relating to payments totaling $120,330 for students Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello to the American International School, Abuja.

Following Bata’s testimony, defence counsel Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, requested an adjournment to allow lead counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, adequate time to prepare for cross-examination. The prosecution opposed the application, arguing it lacked justification.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Anineh granted the adjournment in the interest of justice:

“Adjournment can only be granted at the court’s discretion. However, in the interest of justice, the matter is adjourned till tomorrow, November 13, 2025, for cross-examination and continuation of the trial.”