The sixth prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mshelia Bata, told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that he was never the account officer for the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, clarified under cross-examination by the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), that although the account was domiciled at the bank’s Lokoja branch, he had never worked there. He also confirmed that he was not the maker of the exhibits tendered by the EFCC.
The witness, however, identified Abdulsalam Hudu as an authorised signatory to the account, saying his name appeared on the official mandate. He acknowledged that a relationship manager would have a deeper understanding of the account’s operations than a compliance officer.
Referring to Exhibit S2, Bata told the court that the account was opened in 2005, with Chris Enefola, Onekutu Daniel M., and Abdulsalami Hudu as initial signatories. He added that Oricha Shaibu joined in 2016, Ahmed Idris in 2018, and Alhassan Omakoji in 2019.
He also confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrawal limit for government accounts was ₦10 million and that the transactions examined adhered to this limit.
When asked about the multiple ₦10 million transactions recorded on December 15, 2017, Bata provided the beneficiaries’ details but could not confirm if all withdrawals were made by the same individual, citing variations in names.
Defense counsel Daudu questioned how the bank could verify that the same person carried out the 19 transactions despite inconsistencies in the names. However, EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), objected, describing the question as speculative.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter to January 15 and 16, February 10 and 11, and March 10, 11, and 12, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
What You Should Know
The EFCC’s case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello centers on alleged financial irregularities involving the Kogi State Government House Administration Account.
During the ongoing trial, Zenith Bank’s compliance officer, Mshelia Bata, clarified that he was not the account’s manager and that all transactions complied with withdrawal limits set by the CBN.
The defense highlighted inconsistencies in transaction names to question the authenticity of certain withdrawals. The trial, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, continues in early 2026.
