A bank official told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Abuja on Friday that Kogi State’s tax collection agency paid over N1.16 billion in “commission” to a tax consultant in just eight months during 2019, and insisted this did not break any financial rules.
David Ajoma, who works as a compliance officer at Sterling Bank, gave evidence before Judge Maryanne Anineh in the ongoing trial of Yahaya Bello, Kogi’s former governor, and two others. The three face charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust totalling N110.4 billion.
Ajoma explained that the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) made the payments between January and August 2019 into a Sterling Bank account belonging to Philip Kumar. Shortly after the money arrived, large amounts were consistently withdrawn in cash.
“From the exhibit, Kogi State Internal Revenue Service paid a total of N1,164,959,568.13 as commission within eight months in 2019,” the witness told the court.
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Answering questions from Kemi Pinheiro, the lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ajoma confirmed that N953,404,000 was taken out in cash from the account during the same period.
When asked about the pattern of transactions, the witness said: “As a banker, there is a consistent pattern of withdrawals.”
Ajoma also told the court that before KIRS began paying money into the account, it had very little activity. No money came in between July and December 2018, and only small amounts were withdrawn during those months.
During cross-examination by Joseph Daudu, Bello’s lawyer, Ajoma admitted he did not have the documents from when the account was opened. He could not say what type of consultancy business was involved or whether the transactions were seasonal.
“I do not know the details of the business relationship between Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and the account holder,” he said.
He also confirmed that the bank never filed a suspicious transaction report (STR) on the account, explaining that the cash withdrawals did not break Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rules.
“For individuals, the maximum cash withdrawal is N5 million, while for corporate entities it is N10 million,” Ajoma said, adding that the withdrawals stayed within these allowed limits.
The witness further stated that neither Bello nor his co-defendants appeared as beneficiaries in the bank statement presented as evidence.
He also recognised the difference between the Kogi state government and Kogi IRS, noting that they are separate organisations.
With no more questions to ask, the judge dismissed the witness and postponed the case until 10 and 11 February, as well as 11 and 12 March 2026, when the trial will continue.
