The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, continued on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness alleging that a substantial portion of consultancy commissions earned from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) was paid to government officials and other stakeholders.
Testifying as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s 18th prosecution witness (PW18), the witness told the court that his company, which provides information technology, software development, and tax automation services, was contracted by KSIRS for consultancy work aimed at improving revenue collection.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness stated that the original agreement entitled his company to a 15 per cent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million. According to him, the arrangement was later revised to five per cent following a significant increase in the state’s internally generated revenue.
He told the court that between 50 and 60 per cent of the commissions received by his company were subsequently paid to certain stakeholders, adding that such payments were not part of the official consultancy agreement.
The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Yakubu Oseni, as one of the officials involved in the arrangement. He alleged that instructions for the payments were conveyed through Oseni’s personal assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni, and later through an aide to Oseni’s successor.
According to the witness, the payments were made through a combination of bank transfers and cash transactions.
During the proceedings, he identified bank account statements belonging to Bespoke Business Solution and explained that a nominee signatory, Jami’u Salihu, operated independently on the account. He confirmed several inflows from KSIRS, including N92.4 million received on August 9, 2017, and N261.8 million on August 14, 2017, followed by withdrawals carried out by Salihu.
The witness also acknowledged a N70 million payment made to Efab Properties but said he could not determine the purpose of the transaction, noting that he was not directly involved in it.
Responding to questions from the prosecution, he stated that he was unaware of any complaints by the Kogi State Government regarding the consultancy services rendered by his company.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, P.B. Daudu (SAN), the witness reaffirmed that the consultancy services were successfully executed and also confirmed the identities of other shareholders in the company.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello 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.
Also testifying on Wednesday was the 19th prosecution witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, who identified several companies and accounts connected to his business transactions.
Earlier, the 17th prosecution witness, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent, concluded his testimony and was discharged after cross-examination.
Justice Maryanne Anineh subsequently adjourned the case until October 14, 15, 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.
