An Access Bank compliance officer testifying in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has insisted that cash withdrawals linked to the case violated no existing regulations.
The 10th prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, told the Federal High Court that all transactions cited in his testimony adhered strictly to Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines.
Egoro, who joined Access Bank in May 2023, confirmed under cross-examination that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, identified as one of those who made withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account, was an authorised signatory.
He disclosed that account opening documents showed Olanrewaju as a civil servant holding the position of Director of Accounts in the Kogi State Government Administration.
The compliance officer stated that as a bank official, he had no knowledge of internal government operations and could not explain the purpose of withdrawn funds except where transaction details explicitly indicated same.
His testimony before Justice Maryann Anenih mirrored evidence previously given before Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court.
Significantly, the banker confirmed that the former governor was neither a local government chairman nor directly connected to any transactions presented as evidence.
This related particularly to transfers involving various Kogi local government councils and entities such as Fazab Business Enterprise.
When questioned by defence counsel, Daudu SAN, about a transaction dated May 6, 2022, the witness confirmed: “Yes my lord, I can confirm that it is for supply of reading materials to Okene Local Government and the amount is N14,453,900.84.”
According to his testimony, other payments were designated for sporting equipment, agrochemicals, farm inputs, and medical consumables.
The witness specifically identified a N10.6 million deposit from Ibaji Local Government statutory revenue as payment for agrochemicals, whilst N7.3 million from Mopa Muro Local Government covered relief materials supply.
He also confirmed that N9.9 million from Ofu Local Government was allocated for agrochemical procurement, amongst other expenditures.
During examination-in-chief, the court admitted a subpoena signed by Access Bank’s Managing Director, containing account statements for Kogi State Government House Administration spanning January 2016 to January 2024.
The documents also included statements for Westwood Motors Limited, Fozad Oil and Gas Limited, Bespoque Global Concept Limited, E-Traders International Limited, and Keyless Nature Limited, among others.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, ZE Abbas, challenged the documents’ admissibility, arguing that the certificate of identification failed to meet Evidence Act requirements, promising fuller arguments in his final written address.
Lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, dismissed the objection as “a fishing expedition,” indicating he would respond comprehensively in his written address.
Justice Anenih admitted the documents whilst noting that admissibility would be finally determined if the objection proved justifiable upon fuller argument.
The Kogi Government House Account was marked Exhibits AH1 and AH2, whilst statements from 11 companies received labels ranging from AG to AR.
Pinheiro directed the witness to Exhibit AH1, covering December 2018 to August 2019, to confirm credit inflows from Kogi State Government House and withdrawals by Aminu Jimoh Olarenwaju and Abdulsalami Hudu.
Regarding withdrawals on December 24, 2018, Egoro testified that multiple cash withdrawals triggered the filing of Suspicious Transaction Reports with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, consistent with standard banking practice.
He noted multiple N10 million withdrawals by Olanrewaju on January 15-16, 2018, and by Hudu on March 8 of the same year.
Examining Exhibit AP (Fazab Business Enterprise), the witness confirmed several credit transfers from local government areas in May 2022, with cash withdrawals by Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege.
Under cross-examination, however, Egoro maintained that no legal infractions occurred, reaffirming that all withdrawals complied fully with CBN regulations.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned proceedings to March 10, 11, and 12, 2026, for trial continuation.
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