Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Yahaya Bello’s trial over alleged N80.2 billion local government fund transfers is political in nature, rather than a case of money laundering.
Daudu made the statement on Wednesday during proceedings in the money laundering case instituted against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defence lawyer’s clarification followed remarks in open court by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who had described the transactions from Kogi State Local Government Areas as “stealing by disguise.”
During cross-examination, the seventh prosecution witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer at Access Bank, confirmed that Bello had never served as chairman of any local government in Kogi State.
The witness explained that the contracts in question were awarded by local government chairmen to various contractors, as reflected in bank account records of companies submitted and admitted as exhibits in court.
Egoro further stated that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the local government transactions under investigation, either as sender or recipient of funds. He also noted that entries in Exhibit 33(11), which included transactions between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited, were consistent with normal banking activity.
Under questioning by Daudu, the witness admitted he could not ascertain the purpose of certain payments from the 21 local government areas, nor confirm any business or contractual relationship between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited. He added that a customer is entitled to spend funds as they wish, provided there is no fraud involved.
When asked about transactions into Fayzade Business Enterprise, including one on 6 May 2022 from Okene Local Government, the witness said the payment was for the supply of reading materials. Other payments from Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala, and Yagba LGAs were for education materials (N4.4 million), medical items (N7.5 million), sporting equipment (N10.8 million), and medical consumables (N12.2 million), respectively. Additional transactions covered agrochemicals, farm inputs, and other medical consumables.
Daudu also confirmed with the witness that Bello was not a local government chairman.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the trial to 5 and 6 February 2026 for continuation.
