The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday insisted on the presentation of official receipts before admitting certain Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents in the ongoing ₦80.2 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
The trial, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, continued on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7). Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the cross-examination of PW7, noting that the prosecution had three witnesses available. The witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, affirmed that he remained under oath.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, Egoro confirmed that he testified pursuant to a subpoena and had tendered several exhibits, including Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34. He also disclosed that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court in relation to the same documents but could not recall the specific defendants involved.
When the defence sought to tender Certified True Copies of documents from the other court, the prosecution raised no objection to their relevance but questioned the absence of receipts showing payment for the CTCs. Justice Nwite agreed with the prosecution, ruling that the documents could only be admitted upon presentation of the required receipts. The defence subsequently informed the court that steps were being taken to retrieve them.
Further cross-examination focused on bank transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and Abba Adaudu. The witness confirmed a counter cheque payment at the Otukpo Branch of Access Bank, as well as transfers of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million made in favour of Abba Adaudu.
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On local government inflows, Egoro testified that payments were made for specific supplies, including ₦7.5 million from Okehi Local Government for medical items, ₦10.86 million from Omala Local Government for sporting materials, and ₦12.23 million from Yagba East Local Government for medical consumables.
He further stated that the transactions reflected in the exhibits were consistent with standard banking practices, adding that the account opening package of Fazab Oil could be retrieved if required.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW7.
The update was confirmed by the EFCC via its official X account on Wednesday.