The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over an alleged ₦80.2 billion money-laundering scheme resumed on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.
Witness Reveals School Payment Details
Testifying as Prosecution Witness 8 (PW8), Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), told the court that ₦46.5 million was transferred to the American International School (AIS).
According to him, the payments were made from the account of Kunfayakun Global Limited.
He said:
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₦30 million was transferred on November 1, 2021 to American International School/Abdul Bashir
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Another ₦16,505,400 was also transferred to the American International School
Bank Documents Tendered in Court
Ochoche explained that he submitted:
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Statement of account
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Certificate of compliance
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Account-opening documents
All linked to Kunfayakun Global Limited (Account No: 7819613011).
The documents were admitted as Exhibit 37, covering transactions from June 2021 to August 2022.
Massive Inflows Also Mentioned
The witness also highlighted major inflows into the account, including:
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₦700 million from Keyless Nature Limited on December 15, 2021
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₦400 million via RTGS from Access Bank on December 17, 2021
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₦600 million received on February 18, 2022 through six separate transfers of ₦100 million each from Ejadams Essence Limited
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An additional ₦325 million RTGS inflow on February 21, 2022
Earlier Witness Testifies on ₦552m Withdrawals
Earlier in court, PW7, an Access Bank compliance officer, confirmed that a customer identified as Yakubu Siyaka made multiple withdrawals totaling over ₦552 million between 2019 and 2022.
He noted that while customers can withdraw their funds, banks are obligated to report suspicious transactions that do not match a customer’s profile.
Case Continues
The matter is ongoing before Justice Emeka Nwite.
