Proceedings resumed on Thursday, the 5th of February, 2026, at the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion money-laundering case, as a prosecution witness gave details of payments traced to the American International School (AIS).
Bello is standing trial on a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged money laundering amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.
During the hearing, Prosecution Witness 8 (PW8), Gabriel Ochoche, a compliance officer with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), told the court that a total sum of N46.5 million was transferred from the account of Kunfayakun Global Limited to the American International School.
While testifying, Ochoche explained that the transactions were among several payments made to educational institutions.
“Among the payments identified were transfers to educational institutions, including N30 million on November 1, 2021, to American International School/Abdul Bashir, and another N16,505,400 to American International School,” Ochoche told the court.
The witness appeared before the court pursuant to a subpoena and was led in evidence by Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The subpoena was admitted as Exhibit 36 without any objection from the defence.
Ochoche further confirmed that he presented the statement of account, certificate of compliance and account-opening documents for Kunfayakun Global Limited, Account No: 7819613011, which covered transactions between June 2021 and August 2022. The documents were admitted and marked as Exhibit 37.
“The period covered is from June 29, 2021, to December 31, 2024,” he clarified.
Explaining the contents of the statement of account, PW8 said it outlined transaction details such as dates, references, descriptions, value dates, deposits, withdrawals and balances.
While reviewing Exhibit 37, the witness highlighted significant inflows into the account, including a N700 million transfer via NIP from Keyless Nature Limited on the 15th of December, 2021, and another inflow of N400 million through RTGS on the 17th of December, 2021, ordered by the same company through Access Bank.
“RTGS is a transfer carried out by one bank on behalf of a customer,” Ochoche explained.
He also informed the court that on the 2nd of November, 2021, Kunfayakun Global Limited received three separate inflows from Gadonkaya Global Concept N10 million, N10 million and N8.96 million and later recorded an outflow of N34,506,600 to American School and China Payment/Abdul Bashir.
According to the witness, further transactions occurred on the 18th of February, 2022, when six individual NIP transfers of N100 million each were made from Ejadams Essence Limited, amounting to N600 million.
“Yes, my lord, I confirm that N600 million was received from Ejadams Essence Limited,” the witness said.
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He also identified an RTGS inflow of N325 million dated the 21st of February, 2022, with a value date of February 18, 2022, initiated by Ejadams Essence Limited through Access Bank.
Earlier in the proceedings, Prosecution Witness 7 (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, testified under cross-examination that a N20 million entry dated the 22nd of June, 2022, represented an outflow for the supply of educational materials.
“No, My Lord, it was not a cash withdrawal,” Egoro said, adding that he could not ascertain the beneficiary from the records presented.
Egoro further acknowledged that Yakubu Siyaka conducted multiple cash withdrawals amounting to over N552 million between the 9th of January 9, 2019, and the 30th of December, 2022.
“The customer can use his money as he likes; however, the bank has a reporting obligation where transactions do not fit the customer’s profile or fall under money laundering typologies,” he told the court.
The matter was adjourned as the trial continues before Justice Emeka Nwite.