Witness Alleges Sharing Consultancy Commissions with Kogi Revenue Officials in Yahaya Bello Trial
Witness Alleges Sharing Consultancy Commissions with Kogi Revenue Officials in Yahaya Bello Trial
Witness Alleges Sharing Consultancy Commissions with Kogi Revenue Officials in Yahaya Bello Trial
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness alleging that a significant portion of consultancy commissions earned from services rendered to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) was paid to officials of the agency.
The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 18th prosecution witness, told Justice Maryanne Anenih that between 50 and 60 per cent of commissions received by his company were subsequently paid to certain stakeholders within the revenue agency.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness explained that his company provided consultancy services to the KSIRS, including tax automation, tax audits, and advisory services on tax policy and strategy.
According to him, the consultancy agreement initially entitled the company to a 15 per cent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million. He stated that the arrangement was later reviewed downward to five per cent after the state’s internally generated revenue increased significantly and operational costs reduced due to automation.
The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Yakubu Oseni, as one of the key officials he dealt with during the consultancy engagement.
He told the court that payments amounting to between 50 and 60 per cent of commissions earned by his company were made to certain individuals, adding that such payments were not part of the consultancy agreement.
According to his testimony, the disbursements were made through bank transfers and cash payments based on instructions allegedly relayed by Senator Oseni through his Personal Assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni. He further claimed that similar payments continued under Oseni’s successor, Aliyu Nda Salami, through Salami’s Personal Assistant, Abdulwahab.
The witness identified bank account statements tendered as exhibits and confirmed receiving several payments from the KSIRS. He also acknowledged that some transactions carried out through the accounts were initiated by another signatory, Jami’u Salihu.
During examination of the account records, the witness confirmed inflows running into hundreds of millions of naira from the KSIRS and subsequent withdrawals by Salihu. He also acknowledged transactions involving payments to various companies and property-related transfers but stated that some of the transactions were not initiated by him.
When asked whether the Kogi State Government ever complained about his company’s performance under the consultancy arrangement, the witness responded in the negative, maintaining that the services were satisfactorily delivered.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, P.B. Daudu (SAN), the witness reiterated that the consultancy contract was successfully executed and disclosed that Jami’u Salihu became a signatory to the company’s account after the necessary banking documentation had been completed.
The prosecution also presented its 19th witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and owner of several companies, who testified regarding account statements and business relationships linked to entities under investigation.
Earlier, the court concluded the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 17, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent and commodity trader, who clarified that he was neither related to Yahaya Bello nor Ali Bello despite sharing the same surname.
Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter until October 14, 15, 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Witness Alleges Sharing Consultancy Commissions with Kogi Revenue Officials in Yahaya Bello Trial
