BANK WITNESS CLEARS YAHAYA BELLO OF LINK TO ACCOUNTS IN MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the ex-governor’s name does not appear in any of the financial documents tendered as evidence in court.

Testifying on Friday, Mr. Mshelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, clarified that Bello was neither a signatory to, nor listed as a beneficiary of, any of the accounts associated with the Kogi State Government House Administration under scrutiny in the case.

“I am here to speak on the documents before me,” Bata stated under cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN. “From the document, His Excellency’s name did not feature in any description or as a beneficiary in any transaction in the documents before me.”

The cross-examination followed an objection raised by Daudu, who drew the court’s attention to a publication on the EFCC’s website, which suggested that the witness had been harassed by security aides of the defendant. Daudu denied the allegation and criticized the EFCC for allegedly misrepresenting the previous court proceedings.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, responded by promising to refer the issue to the EFCC’s office. The judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, asked the defendant’s counsel to investigate the harassment allegation and report back to the court.

Earlier, Bata had identified various signatories to the state government accounts, including the Permanent Secretary, Chief Accountant, and Accountant, while confirming letters introducing new officials at different points.

When Pinheiro attempted to block questions regarding account beneficiaries, the judge overruled, stating that the witness, as an expert, could competently respond.

Bata also told the court that he supervises 13 Zenith Bank branches within the Federal Capital Territory, but none beyond Abuja. He explained that his role includes compliance oversight, particularly in handling legal and regulatory issues.

Separately, the court also heard arguments on a motion filed by the defence for the release of Yahaya Bello’s international passport to allow him to seek medical care abroad. While the prosecution argued that the motion constituted an abuse of court process, Daudu maintained that it was a legitimate request tied to the bail conditions granted by the court.

He noted that the former governor had not travelled in eight years and urgently required medical attention.

Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to July 3 and 4 for continuation and July 21 for a ruling on the travel application.