EFCC Witness: Kogi Government’s Fund Withdrawals Complied With Banking Laws, Yahaya Bello Not Listed as Beneficiary

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, on Monday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that fund withdrawals made by the Kogi State Government during the tenure of former Governor Yahaya Bello did not violate any banking regulation.

Testifying under cross-examination by Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite, Bata — who serves as a compliance officer — confirmed that Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in any of the account statements tendered as evidence.

According to the witness, the transactions highlighted in the case, including withdrawals by Abdulsalam Hudu, Umar Comfort Olufunke, and Alhassan Omakoji, were conducted within the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) withdrawal limits.

When asked by Daudu whether multiple cheques of ₦10 million each complied with CBN’s cash withdrawal threshold, Bata replied:

“Yes, my lord. The ₦10 million per cheque represents the maximum allowed cash withdrawal limit set by the CBN.”

He further stated that he was unaware of any law that dictates how a state government spends its funds, adding that his role was limited to verifying transaction compliance, not expenditure purposes.

“I am not aware of any law that regulates how the Kogi State Government spends its money or allocation in its account,” Bata said.

The witness reiterated that none of the exhibits presented in court, including Exhibit 22A (pages 24–413), showed Bello’s name as a signatory or recipient of any transaction.

Following his testimony, the prosecution called additional witnesses, including Akoni, another compliance officer, who also confirmed that none of the deposits or transactions under review contained Yahaya Bello’s name.

“None of them carries the name Yahaya Bello,” Akoni told the court during cross-examination.

The EFCC also presented PW-6, a relationship officer, and PW-7, another compliance officer, who produced various bank account statements and customer details requested by the court.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to November 11 for continuation of hearing.

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