A significant development unfolded in the Federal High Court in Abuja today during the high-profile money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. Olomotane Egoro, a bank official, provided testimony that seeks to clarify his involvement in the financial activities central to the case.
The Core Testimony
Egoro informed the court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, that he was not an employee of Access Bank during the period when the transactions under scrutiny took place. The transactions between the Kogi State government and Access Bank occurred from January 2016 to April 2023. Egoro's assertion places these activities before his tenure at the financial institution.
The Scale of the Allegations
This testimony forms a piece of the massive corruption prosecution led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency has charged Bello with 19 counts related to the alleged diversion of approximately 80.2 billion naira from Kogi State and local government accounts. The case represents one of the most substantial financial corruption trials in recent Nigerian history.
Defense of Banking Protocols
Beyond the timeline, Egoro's testimony also addressed procedural compliance. He stated that Access Bank did not violate any regulations set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Specifically, he noted that the bank acted correctly in processing cheques presented by Abdulsalam Hudu, the third defendant in the case.
What Comes Next
The court has adjourned the proceedings. The case is scheduled to resume on Thursday, March 12, allowing both the prosecution and defense to prepare their next steps. The legal community and observers will be watching closely to see how this testimony influences the trajectory of this landmark case.
