JUST IN: Yahaya Bello trial adjourned to October after witness exposed payments to Kogi officials

The trial of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, was on Wednesday adjourned to October after a prosecution witness told the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that he paid between 50 and 60 percent of consultancy commissions earned by his company to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).

The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) eighteenth prosecution witness (PW18), made the disclosure before Justice Maryanne Anineh.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.

The witness told the court that his company provided information technology, software development, software implementation, marketing and tax automation services.

He said the company served as a consultant to the KSIRS, providing tax process automation, tax audits and advisory services on tax policy and strategy.

According to him, the consultancy arrangement initially entitled the company to a 15 percent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million.

“The agreement was to receive 15 per cent commission on transactions above N350 million. The agreement was later reviewed downward to five per cent because the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, had grown significantly and our operating costs became lower due to automation,” he said.

The witness identified Yakubu Oseni, former chairman of the KSIRS, as one of the officials he dealt with during the consultancy engagement.

Speaking on the disbursement of commissions received by his company, the witness said between 50 and 60 percent of the earnings were paid to certain stakeholders.

Asked whether the payments formed part of the consultancy agreement, he replied: “No.”

The witness said the payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions based on instructions from Oseni, communicated through Yusuf Abdulmumuni, his personal assistant.

He added that similar cash payments were later made on the instructions of Aliyu Nda Salami, Oseni’s successor, through Abdulwahab, Salami’s personal assistant.

The witness identified statements of account belonging to Bespoke Business Solution maintained with Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank.

He also told the court that Jami’u Salihu was nominated by Oseni as a signatory to the company’s Zenith Bank project account.

The witness further said some payments made to Echis Materials, Quant and Kalaz Ventures Limited were carried out by Salihu and not by him.

Asked whether the Kogi government ever complained about the performance of his company under the consultancy arrangement, he said: “No.”

During cross-examination by P.B. Daudu, counsel to the first and second defendants, the witness maintained that his company satisfactorily executed the contract.

Abdullahi told the court that he owns E-Traders International Limited, Kunfayakun Global Limited and De-Remita International Limited.

He said he knew Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited through one of his customers, Abba Adaudu.

The witness also confirmed knowledge of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, Whales Oil and Gas Limited and Alyeshua Solutions Services Limited.

Following the conclusion of his cross-examination by defence lawyers, the court discharged the witness. Justice Anineh thereafter adjourned the case until October 14, 15, 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.