The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has adjourned further hearing in the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to November 12, 2025.
Justice Maryann Anenih fixed the date after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its sixth witness during Thursday’s proceedings.
At the resumed hearing, the fifth prosecution witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, a compliance officer with Polaris Bank, testified about the transactions linked to the disputed accounts. She told the court that several credits were made into the accounts from different sources, with transfers often executed in multiples of ₦10 million.
According to her, the total credit inflow into the account in November 2021 amounted to ₦450 million.
Under cross-examination by the first defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, the witness admitted she was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager for the accounts, and therefore could not explain how the transactions were initiated or executed.
Counsel to the second defendant, A.M. Aliyu, also questioned her, drawing attention to an exhibit that did not contain the name “Abdulsalam Hudu,” which she confirmed.
The EFCC then called its sixth witness, Mshelia Arhyel, who was subsequently cross-examined. Daudu, SAN, informed the court that he had not completed cross-examination of the same witness in a related case before another court, but Justice Anenih ruled that the proceedings before her were independent.
During the session, the prosecution sought to tender certain documents through the subpoenaed witness. The defence objected, arguing that the documents did not meet the requirements of Sections 83 and 84 of the Evidence Act.
However, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to admit them.
Justice Anenih admitted the documents — a 218-page statement of account belonging to Alusha Services — in evidence as Exhibit P1.
The witness testified that prior to 2023, there were no strict withdrawal limits as long as each cheque did not exceed ₦10 million.
He confirmed that multiple withdrawals made on the same day were within the approved threshold, with total transactions as of January 31, 2018, amounting to ₦707.3 million.
He further identified transactions between February 22, 2016, and May 6, 2022, as well as inflows to Aleshua Solutions Services, including foreign currency transfers of $2,500 and $5,000.
The witness also confirmed transactions from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in December 2016, totalling ₦202 million.
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to November 12 and 13 for continuation of the examination of the sixth prosecution witness.
At a previous hearing, the third prosecution witness, a UBA compliance officer, had testified that no banking regulation was breached by the defendants in the course of the transactions.