Alleged Fraud: Witness Admits Multiple Transactions In Yahaya Bello’s Trial

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Wednesday, heard how multiple transactions were made in the Kogi State government account during the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The witness, Mshelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, who the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought in, EFCC, is expected to be cross-examined by the defence Counsel, Chief Joseph Saudi, at the next adjourned date.

During the hearing of the case filed by the EFCC against the former governor, Arhyel, the sixth prosecution witness, was asked to give details of deposits and withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account between February 2016 and February 2018.

He confirmed multiple transactions of N10 million each, which he stated totalled N1.09 billion as of February 2, 2018, all within the withdrawal limits.

He confirmed that the first inflow occurred on December 6, 2016, in the amount of ₦74,378 million.
He also noted cash withdrawal, in multiples of N10 million, totaling ₦30 million, in favour of Muhammed Jamiu Salau.

The witness also confirmed inflow into the Government House account from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.

The EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, later instructed the witness to examine Exhibit R1 — the statement of account (in USD) of Wales Oil and Gas.

He confirmed an overseas transfer on 12th November, 2021, against the name Farida Oricha, a Corporate FX payment of $11,000.

The Zenith Bank officer was later told to look at Exhibit P1 En Bloc, the statement of account of Aleshua Solutions Services.

He stated that it was a USD domiciliary account belonging to Aleshua Solutions Services Limited and confirmed debit entries for items 1 and 13.

The witness stated that FX payments from Aleshua Solutions were in favour of the American International School.

At this point, the Defence Counsel, Daudu SAN, sought an adjournment to the next day to enable him to cross-examine the witness.

The two parties agreed, and Justice Anenih adjourned to tomorrow, November 13, for the cross-examination of the sixth witness.

The witness had reiterated at the preceding hearing that, before 2023, there was no strict withdrawal limit as long as the amount written on the cheque did not exceed ₦10 million.

He also confirmed multiple transactions of N10 million each, but admitted they were within the approval threshold, putting the total transactions as of January 31, 2018, at N707,267,000. The case has been further adjourned to November 14.