Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the case involving his client and former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, should be seen as a political prosecution rather than a genuine money laundering trial.
Daudu made the assertion before Justice Emeka Nwite while responding to comments by Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during proceedings in the matter.
The exchange took place while the EFCC’s seventh prosecution witness (PW-7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was undergoing cross-examination by the defence.
Egoro, who was summoned by the anti-graft agency to testify in the alleged money laundering case against Bello, acknowledged under oath that the former governor never served as a local government chairman in Kogi State.
The witness made this admission in reference to contracts cited by the prosecution, which were awarded by various local government chairmen, as reflected in documents tendered as Exhibit 33.
PW-7 further told the court that none of the documents contained in Exhibit 33 mentioned Bello’s name in connection with the local government transactions being investigated.
According to him, the name “Yahaya Bello” did not appear anywhere in the records, either as a sender or as a recipient of funds.
Egoro also confirmed that, based on Exhibit 33(11), the transactions between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited followed normal banking procedures.
“You drew my lord’s attention to a litany of payments from the 21 local government areas, for example, on 11th October, 2022, into the Keyless account.
“Do you know the purpose of those entries or transactions?” Daudu asked.
“No, my lord,” the witness replied.
He equally admitted that he could not determine from the bank records whether any contractual or business relationship existed between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited.
The witness also told the court that customers are entitled to spend their money as they wish, provided there is no allegation or evidence of fraud.
“Confirm that in respect of transactions in Exhibit 33(11), your bank was not under court order and you have no report of fraud,” Daudu asked.
“That is correct, my lord,” Egoro responded.
Addressing payments made into Fayzade Business Enterprise, the defence directed the witness to examine a transaction dated May 6, 2022, and explain its purpose.
Egoro said the inflow originated from Okene Local Government Area and was described in the records as payment for the supply of reading materials.
He also outlined the stated purposes of other payments from Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala and Yagba local government areas, which included education materials amounting to N4.4 million, medical items valued at N7.5 million, sporting equipment costing N10.8 million, and medical consumables worth N12.2 million.
The PW-7 further listed additional transactions covering purchases such as agrochemicals, farm inputs and medical consumables.
Daudu then asked, “Do you know if this defendant is a local government chairman and which local government in Kogi State?”
“No, the defendant wasn’t a local government chairman,” the witness answered.
At that point, Pinheiro rose briefly and remarked, in a light tone, that in money laundering cases, payments are often disguised.
“My lord, there is this casual statement I learnt from my leader (Daudu) that this is a case of money laundering where payments can be made in disguise,” he said.
Responding, Daudu countered, “Not all casual statements are made to go without reply, my lord.
“Very soon, we will know that this is not a money laundering trial but a political trial.”
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until February 5 for the continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution witness.
What you should know
The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello centres on allegations of money laundering brought by the EFCC.
During proceedings, the defence has argued that bank records tendered by the prosecution do not directly link Bello to the transactions under scrutiny. Testimony from an Access Bank compliance officer indicated that the disputed payments were made by local governments for stated purposes and followed normal banking processes.
The defence insists the case is politically motivated, while the court continues to hear evidence before reaching any determination.
