ALLEGED N110.4BN FRAUD: WITNESS TELLS COURT HE PAID UP TO 60% OF KOGI TAX CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONS TO REVENUE OFFICIALS UNDER YAHAYA BELLO

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that he paid between 50 and 60 per cent of commissions earned from consultancy services rendered to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) to some officials of the agency.

The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s 18th prosecution witness (PW18), made the disclosure on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).

Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.

During testimony, the witness explained that his company specialised in information technology, software development, software implementation, marketing and tax automation services.

He stated that the company had business dealings with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and was subsequently invited by the EFCC in connection with those transactions.

According to him, his company acted as a consultant to KSIRS, providing tax process automation, tax audit services and advisory support on tax policy and strategy.

He told the court that the original agreement entitled the company to receive a 15 per cent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million.

“The agreement was to receive 15 per cent commission on transactions above N350 million. The agreement was later reviewed downward to five per cent because the Internally Generated Revenue had grown significantly and our operating costs became lower due to automation,” he said.

The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Senator Yakubu Oseni, as one of the officials involved in the consultancy arrangement.

He further disclosed that between 50 and 60 per cent of the commissions received by his company were subsequently paid to certain stakeholders, despite such payments not forming part of the official consultancy agreement.

Asked whether the payments were contractually required, he responded: “No.”

According to him, the payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions based on instructions allegedly communicated through aides linked to successive heads of the revenue agency.

The witness also identified account statements tendered as exhibits and confirmed receiving multiple inflows from KSIRS accounts followed by withdrawals made by another signatory to the project account.

He told the court that some payments reflected in the records, including transfers to property and business-related entities, were not initiated by him.

“I wouldn’t know which property was paid for because it was not my transaction,” he said.

Under cross-examination, the witness maintained that his company successfully executed the services it was contracted to deliver and stated that there were no complaints from the Kogi State Government regarding performance.

The prosecution also presented its nineteenth witness, PW19, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator.

Abdullahi identified himself as the owner of E-Traders International Limited, Kunfayakun Global Limited and De-Remita International Limited, and confirmed familiarity with several companies referenced during proceedings through business relationships.

Earlier, the court concluded cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 17, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent and commodity trader, who clarified that he was not related to either Ali Bello or Yahaya Bello despite sharing the same surname.

Following the proceedings, Justice Anineh adjourned the case to October 14, 15, 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.