The trial of Yahaya Bello, ex-Kogi State governor, resumed on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Maryanne Anineh, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) unveiled details of alleged massive cash withdrawals from state government accounts.Bello faces a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling N110.4 billion, alongside co-defendants Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Shuaibu Oricha.In the session, the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Bata, a Zenith Bank compliance officer, continued his testimony under questioning by EFCC lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro. Bata focused on transactions in the Kogi State Government House account from February 2016 to February 2018, linked to the second defendant, Hudu.The witness confirmed numerous N10 million withdrawals, accumulating to N1.09 billion by February 2, 2018. He detailed inflows including N50 million from the Kogi statutory revenue account on August 2, 2016; another N50 million from Idhu Integrated Services on August 9; and N15.5 million from the ministry of finance on August 10.Bata described subsequent withdrawals by Hudu, noting the account once hit zero balance before receiving N74.378 million on December 6, 2016. On the same day, N30 million in cash was withdrawn for Mohammed Jamiu Salihu.Further testimony highlighted additional withdrawals and transfers to private entities and individuals, including dollar payments to the American International School, Abuja, and accounts tied to Alyeshua Solutions Services and Whales Oil and Gas.Defense counsel Abdullahi Yahaya requested an adjournment to allow lead lawyer J.B. Daudu to review the evidence for cross-examination. EFCC's Pinheiro opposed, insisting documents were already tendered in open court with both sides present.Justice Anineh granted the adjournment "in the interest of justice," scheduling continuation for cross-examination and trial on November 13, 2025.
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