A witness has detailed how funds belonging to various Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kogi State were allegedly diverted and laundered through private accounts, as the trial of former governor Yahaya Bello’s cousin, Ali Bello, Yakubu Isiaka Adabenege, Abba Adaudu, and Iyada Sadat continued at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds amounting to over N3 billion.
Remigius Egu, the sixth prosecution witness and a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, testified before Justice Obiora Egwuatu on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, revealing how substantial sums from Kogi State LGAs were funnelled into the account of Korforte Concept Limited. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Egu confirmed that documents marked “Exhibits E and E1” originated from Zenith Bank and detailed transactions linked to Adabenege, the second defendant.
Egu disclosed that on 4 October 2023, multiple inflows from Kogi State LGAs were traced to Korforte Concept Limited’s account, which previously held a balance of just N7,370.
The deposits included N14,844,640.57 from Ogori Magongo LGA, N18,629,944.51 from Ibeji LGA, N20,887,557.54 from Adavi LGA, and similar large sums from several other LGAs. “My Lord, all the inflows were received on October 4, 2023,” he stated. The same day, N110 million was transferred from the account to Abba Adaudu, one of the defendants.
Further transactions on 5 October 2018 saw additional LGA funds deposited into the same account, including N19,480,651.20 from Igalamela/Odolu LGA and N23,373,201.67 from Dekina LGA. A transfer of N21.9 million to one Musa Omuya was also made that day. On 8 October 2018, more inflows arrived from Ijumu and Bassa LGAs, followed by further transfers of N10 million to Omuya and N5.1 million and N5 million respectively to Adaudu on 10 October 2018.
Earlier, the fifth prosecution witness, Oyinkosola Akerele Shukurat, managing director of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, testified that her company received payments from a customer named Abdul Bashir for the purchase of US dollars. She disclosed that $139,000 was sent to the American International School (AIS) on behalf of Fatima Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Zara Bello for school fees. When shown transaction records, she confirmed payments of $49,600, $44,700, and another $44,700 for the beneficiaries.
Defence counsel A.M. Aliyu, SAN, and Nureini Jimoh, SAN, cross-examined the witness. Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to 5, 19, 20, and 21 May 2025 for continuation of trial.
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