Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
The high-profile money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, hit a procedural snag on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite insisted on strict adherence to court rules, refusing to admit key defence documents until receipts proving payment for them were produced.
Bello faces a 19-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging the laundering of a staggering N80.2 billion.
The day’s proceedings, on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, focused on the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc.
Led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro, the prosecution called Egoro to the stand.
Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed he was present due to a subpoena and had tendered several documents already in evidence.
Egoro also disclosed he had given testimony related to the same documents in a separate Federal High Court case, though he could not recall the specific defendants.
The defence then sought to introduce Certified True Copies (CTCs) of records from that other case. While the prosecution did not object to the documents themselves, Pinheiro raised a crucial procedural objection. He argued that the defence had failed to present the mandatory receipts showing payment for the CTCs, rendering them inadmissible.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite upheld the prosecution’s objection. He stated that the certified documents could only be admitted upon the presentation of receipts evidencing payment. The defence team informed the court they were taking steps to retrieve the required paperwork.
The cross-examination later delved into specific transactions involving companies named Keyless Nature Limited and Fazab Oil, as well as individual Abba Adaudu. Egoro confirmed various payments, including a counter cheque issued in Otukpo and transfers of ₦200,000 and N8 million.
Questioned on local government fund inflows into the accounts under scrutiny, the witness stated the payments were for specified purposes. He listed examples including N7.5 million from Okehi LGA for medical supplies, ₦10.8 million from Omala LGA for sporting materials, and N12.2 million from Yagba East LGA for medical consumables.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday, 5th February 2026, for the continuation of the witness’s cross-examination.
