The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was on Wednesday adjourned until October after a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that he paid between 50 and 60 percent of his company’s consultancy commissions to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).
The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 18th prosecution witness (PW18), made the disclosure before Justice Maryanne Anineh.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
During his testimony, the witness said his company provided information technology, software development, software implementation, marketing, and tax automation services. He explained that the company served as a consultant to the KSIRS, offering tax process automation, tax audits, and advisory services on tax policy and strategy.
According to him, the consultancy agreement initially entitled the company to a 15 percent commission on tax collections exceeding N350 million.
“The agreement was to receive 15 percent commission on transactions above N350 million. The agreement was later reviewed downward to five percent because the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown significantly and our operating costs became lower due to automation,” he told the court.
The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Yakubu Oseni, as one of the key officials he worked with during the consultancy engagement.
Speaking on how the commissions were disbursed, he revealed that between 50 and 60 percent of the earnings received by his company were paid to certain stakeholders.
When asked whether such payments were part of the consultancy agreement, he responded, “No.”
He further stated that the payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions based on instructions allegedly issued by Oseni through his personal assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni.
According to the witness, similar cash payments were later made on the instructions of Aliyu Nda Salami, who succeeded Oseni as KSIRS chairman, through Salami’s personal assistant, Abdulwahab.
The witness also identified account statements belonging to Bespoke Business Solution maintained with Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank.
He told the court that Jami’u Salihu was nominated by Oseni as a signatory to the company’s Zenith Bank project account.
The witness further disclosed that some payments made to Echis Materials, Quant, and Kalaz Ventures Limited were carried out by Salihu and not by him.
When asked whether the Kogi State Government ever complained about the company’s performance under the consultancy arrangement, the witness replied in the negative, maintaining that the contract was satisfactorily executed.
During cross-examination by P.B. Daudu, counsel to the first and second defendants, the witness reiterated that his company fulfilled its contractual obligations.
He also informed the court that he owns E-Traders International Limited, Kunfayakun Global Limited, and De-Remita International Limited.
The witness said he became acquainted with Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited through one of his customers, Abba Adaudu. He also confirmed knowledge of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, Whales Oil and Gas Limited, and Alyeshua Solutions Services Limited.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination by defence counsel, the court discharged the witness.
Justice Anineh subsequently adjourned the matter until October 14, 15, 27, and 28, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
