Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, to Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for continuation.

Bello is standing trial before Justice Nwite on charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion and misappropriation of Kogi State funds amounting to ₦80.2 billion during his tenure as governor.

Monday’s proceedings were marked by extensive cross-examinations and witness testimonies, including those from compliance officers representing several banks.

Defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, continued the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank. Arhyel confirmed that multiple cash withdrawals, in sums of ₦10 million each, were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.

He further testified that several hotels — including Idrinana Hotels, Edge Drive Hotels, JF Hotels, May Treasure Resort, Halims Hotels, Nostalgia Suites, and Hope Confluence Hotels — benefited from various transactions linked to the account.

Following the cross-examination, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, declined re-examination, and the witness was discharged.

The prosecution then called Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank Nigeria Limited, as the fifth prosecution witness (PW5). Appearing under subpoena, Akoni presented and tendered the statement of account of one Moses Wadzu Ileku, covering January to December 2016, which was admitted as Exhibit 29. She identified several deposits made by individuals including Ileku, Abdulwahab Sabo, and Shehu Bello, ranging from ₦3 million to ₦20 million.

The sixth prosecution witness (PW6), Mohammed Bello Hassan, a relationship officer with Keystone Bank, also appeared under subpoena. He produced the statement of the account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, admitted as Exhibit 31. Hassan testified that between February 17 and 22, 2021, a total of ₦100 million was transferred into the account by Maigari Murtala and Yusuf Mubarak. He, however, told the court under cross-examination that he did not personally know the two individuals.

The day’s proceedings concluded with the testimony of the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank