₦80.2bn Fraud: Court Insists on Receipts Before Admitting CTCs

Maitama, Abuja, Wednesday, February 4, 2026

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7).
Bello is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the cross-examination of PW7, adding that the prosecution had three witnesses available. PW7, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was subsequently led to the witness box and affirmed that he was still under oath.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that he testified pursuant to a subpoena and had tendered Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34. He further stated that he had earlier testified before another Federal High Court in respect of the same exhibits, though he could not recall the specific defendants involved or whether he appeared as PW2 in that matter.

When the defence sought to tender Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents from the other court, the prosecution raised no objection to their admissibility but drew the court’s attention to the absence of receipts evidencing payment for the CTCs. Pinheiro maintained that the production of such receipts was a procedural requirement and also noted that the witness had been consistent in his testimony.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the documents could only be admitted upon the presentation of the required receipts, aligning with the prosecution’s position. The defence thereafter informed the court that steps were being taken to retrieve the receipts.
Further cross-examination focused on bank transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and Abba Adaudu. The witness confirmed that a counter cheque payment was made at the Otukpo Branch of Access Bank and that transfers, including sums of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million, were effected in favour of Abba Adaudu.

On local government inflows, Egoro testified that funds credited into the accounts were linked to specific transactions. These included ₦7,500,144.61 from Okehi Local Government for the supply of medical items; ₦10,863,247.50 from Omala Local Government on June 3, 2022, for the supply of sporting materials; and ₦12,228,400.10 from Yagba East Local Government on June 6, 2022, for the procurement of medical consumables.

He added that the entries contained in Exhibit 33(11) were consistent with normal banking transactions and disclosed that while the account opening package for Fazab Oil was not immediately available, it could be retrieved if required.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW7.