Witness Reveals Yahaya Bello’s Payment To Kogi Revenue Officials In N110.4 Billion Fraud Trial

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

A prosecution witness in the ongoing high-profile trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday, that his company paid between 50 and 60 percent of commissions earned from tax consultancy services to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).

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

Bello is being prosecuted alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, and two others, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion.

The witness, whose company specialises in information technology, software development, tax automation and advisory services, told the court that his firm was engaged by the KSIRS for tax process automation, audits, and policy strategy. He stated that the company was initially entitled to 15 percent commission on tax collections above N350 million, which was later reviewed downward to five percent due to increased internally generated revenue and lower operational costs from automation.

He identified former KSIRS Chairman Senator Yakubu Oseni as one of the key officials he dealt with. The witness disclosed that 50 to 60 percent of the commissions received by his company were paid to certain stakeholders through bank transfers and cash, on the directives of Senator Oseni via his Personal Assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni, and later through the Personal Assistant of Oseni’s successor, Aliyu Nda Salami.

The witness confirmed that payments were not part of the formal consultancy agreement. He identified several bank statements as exhibits, including accounts of Bespoke Business Solution in Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank, and revealed that one Jami’u Salihu, nominated by Senator Oseni, was a signatory to the project account and made several large withdrawals.

During proceedings, the court also heard from the 19th prosecution witness (PW19), Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and owner of companies including E-Traders International Limited, who testified about his dealings with entities linked to the case.

Earlier, the cross-examination of PW17, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent and commodity trader who is a friend and business partner of Ali Bello, was concluded. He clarified that he is not related to the Bello family and is not from Kogi State.

The trial, which has been closely watched due to Bello’s influence as a major political figure in Nigeria’s North Central region, has seen multiple witnesses testify about alleged fund diversions during his administration between 2016 and 2022.

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

The case is part of the EFCC’s broader investigation into alleged massive corruption in Kogi State during Bello’s eight-year tenure, with previous witnesses revealing details of suspicious multi-billion naira transactions involving government accounts and private entities. Bello has consistently denied all allegations, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.