A prosecution witness in the ongoing Kogi fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he paid between 50 and 60 per cent of consultancy commissions earned from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) to officials of the agency.
The witness, who appeared as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 18th prosecution witness, made the disclosure on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anineh during proceedings in the N110.4 billion alleged fraud case.
According to the witness, his company provided tax automation, tax audit and advisory services to KSIRS. He explained that the consultancy arrangement initially entitled the company to a 15 per cent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million before the rate was later reduced to five per cent as internally generated revenue increased and operating costs fell.
The witness identified Yakubu Oseni as one of the officials he dealt with during the consultancy engagement. He told the court that between 50 and 60 per cent of commissions received by his company were subsequently paid to certain stakeholders.
When asked whether such payments were part of the consultancy agreement, he replied that they were not.
He further testified that the payments were made through both bank transfers and cash transactions based on instructions allegedly passed through Oseni’s personal assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni. Similar cash payments, he said, were later made under the tenure of Oseni’s successor, Aliyu Nda Salami, through Salami’s personal assistant, Abdulwahab.
The witness also confirmed that one Jami’u Salihu was nominated by Oseni as a signatory to a project account maintained by the company with Zenith Bank, adding that Salihu operated independently on the account.
While reviewing bank records tendered as exhibits, the witness identified several inflows from KSIRS, including over N92 million received on August 9, 2017, and more than N261 million on August 14, 2017. He also confirmed transfers totalling N70 million to Efab Properties but stated that he could not determine the property involved because he did not initiate the transactions.
The court also heard that payments to several companies, including Echis Materials, Quant and Kalaz Ventures Limited, were carried out by Salihu and not by the witness.
Asked whether the Kogi State Government had ever complained about the performance of his company under the consultancy agreement, the witness said there had been no complaints.
During cross-examination, he maintained that the company fulfilled its contractual obligations and confirmed that Salihu became a signatory after completing the required banking documentation.
The prosecution also presented its 19th witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and owner of E-Traders International Limited, Kunfayakun Global Limited and De-Remita International Limited. Abdullahi confirmed knowledge of several companies linked to transactions examined by investigators.
Earlier, the court concluded the testimony of prosecution witness 17, Shenu Bello Bala, an estate agent and commodity trader. Under cross-examination, Bala clarified that he was not related to either Yahaya Bello or Ali Bello, despite sharing the same surname.
Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Anineh adjourned the matter until October 14, 15, 27 and 28, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
