How Kogi tax agency transferred millions to private firm during Yahaya Bello’s tenure – Witness

A prosecution witness on Thursday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) made several transfers amounting to hundreds of millions of naira to a private company during the administration of Yahaya Bello as governor of Kogi State.

The witness, David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, appeared as the ninth prosecution witness in the trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that KSIRS carried out six separate transfers to Bespoque Business Solutions Limited (BBSL).

According to Mr Ajoma, bank records showed that on 5 March 2019, KSIRS transferred more than N57.9 million to BBSL. On 4 April 2019, the company received over N138 million, with the transaction narration stated as “Kogi State commission for March.” He further testified that additional transfers of N126.8 million and N97 million were made on 3 May and 6 June 2019, respectively.

Mr Ajoma told the court that on 6 August 2019, BBSL received N183.6 million for the payment of contractors and another N242.2 million for the purchase of OPBEH. While the name of BBSL has appeared in earlier testimonies, the exact nature of its involvement in the alleged N110 billion fraud remains unclear.

The EFCC is prosecuting Mr Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts relating to the alleged diversion of Kogi State funds. Prosecutors allege that more than N110 billion under the control of the state government was misappropriated during Mr Bello’s eight-year tenure from January 2016 to January 2024.

According to the EFCC, part of the allegedly diverted funds was used to acquire properties in high-value areas of Abuja and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All the defendants have denied the allegations.

The breakdown of the transactions tendered by Mr Ajoma was admitted in evidence despite objections from counsel to Mr Hudu, A.M. Aliyu, who argued that the documents did not comply with the Evidence Act and the Bankers Act. After the testimony, the trial judge adjourned proceedings until 16 January for continuation.

Earlier in the proceedings, the sixth prosecution witness, Arhyel Mshelia, a staff member of Zenith Bank, told the court that transactions from KSIRS to BBSL’s account often carried no clear purpose. He also stated that Mr Bello’s name did not appear as a beneficiary in the transfers.

Mr Mshelia noted that Mr Hudu’s name appeared repeatedly in Kogi State government account statements, with his role described to the bank as the state’s accountant. During cross-examination, an attempt by the defence to suggest that Mr Hudu acted on instructions from superiors was rejected by the court following an objection from the prosecution.

The witness further testified that Kogi State government accounts recorded frequent transfers and withdrawals described as “security,” “offsec,” and “sec” funds. Disagreements arose in court over the interpretation of those descriptions, with the judge rejecting assumptions not supported by evidence.

The EFCC also presented bank records from other institutions through additional witnesses. Mohammed Bello, an executive trainee with Keystone Bank, told the court that N100 million was transferred into the account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction between 17 and 22 February 2021. He said the identities of those who initiated the transfers were unclear to the bank.

Another witness, Gabriel Oche, a compliance officer with FCMB, testified that Kun Fayakun Global Limited transferred N30 million and N34 million on consecutive days in November 2021 to accounts linked to American schools. He clarified under cross-examination that the names of Mr Bello and Mr Oricha did not appear in the transactions.

In an earlier testimony, Mr Mshelia also mentioned a dollar transfer from a Whale Oil and Gas account to the American International School for academic services linked to Farida Oricha. The school has previously been associated with Mr Bello in a related trial, where a witness alleged that school fees for his children were paid in advance in foreign currency.

Several compliance officers from different banks have so far testified in the case, detailing patterns of large cash withdrawals, security-related payments and transfers to private companies. While the testimonies have introduced multiple individuals and firms, the prosecution has yet to establish clear links between all the transactions and the alleged diversion of funds.

The trial is expected to continue with further testimonies as the court resumes hearing.