EFCC Witness Reveals How Over N3bn Kogi LG Funds Were Allegedly Laundered Through Private Accounts

A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has narrated how funds belonging to several local government areas (LGAs) in Kogi State were allegedly diverted and laundered through private accounts. The revelation came during a court session on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello, the chief of staff to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State.

Bello is standing trial alongside Yakubu Adabenege, Abba Adaudu, and Iyada Sadat on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N3 billion.

Remigius Egu, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank and witness for the EFCC, testified that substantial sums of money from various Kogi LGAs were traced to the account of Korforte Concept Limited on October 4, 2023. He identified inflows from multiple LGAs: Ogori Magongo (N14.84m), Ibeji (N18.62m), Adavi (N20.88m), Kogi (N17,929), Kabba/Bunu (N18.46m), Ajaokuta (N22.76m), Okene (N20.75m), Yagba West (N18.23m), and Ofu (N21.36m), all received on the same day.

Egu disclosed that before these transactions, the Korforte account had a balance of just N7,370. However, on that same day, a transfer of N110 million was made from the account to one of the defendants, Abba Adaudu.

He also revealed further inflows into the same account on October 5, 2018, from Igalamela/Odolu (N19.48m), Olamaboro (N19.08m), Dekina (N23.37m), Ibaji (N15.65m), Omala (N16.87m), and Lokoja (N20.59m). On the same day, N21.9 million was transferred to an individual named Musa Omuya.

Additional transactions took place on October 8, 2018, with N17.36 million from Ijumu LGA and N17.47 million from Bassa LGA. On October 10, 2018, Egu stated that N10 million was transferred to Musa Omuya, while N5.1 million and N5 million were respectively wired to Abba Adaudu.

Earlier in the proceedings, Oyinkosola Akerele, managing director of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, testified as the fifth prosecution witness. She told the court that the company, which engages in foreign exchange transactions, received payment from a customer, Abdul Bashir, to purchase US dollars. The acquired dollars were sent to four beneficiaries, including Fatima Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Zara Bello—children of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello—as payment for school fees at the American International School, amounting to $139,000.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu adjourned the trial to May 5, 19, 20, and 21 for continuation.