The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has told Justice Maryanne Anineh, of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, in Abuja, that it interrogated officials of Access Bank Plc., and Zenith Bank Plc., during its investigation of the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
An EFCC operative, John Justice, during his testimony on Tuesday, stated that withdrawals from the suspected accounts domiciled in the two banks were not physical cash but transfers to separate accounts. “Our analysis reveals that these companies were receiving inflow from Kogi State while transactions were treated as cash withdrawals,” he said. The witness, similarly, alleged that
the said stolen funds were from the monthly allocations to local government councils in the state.
Companies reportedly linked to the probe include Hayzma, Bibas Energy, Forza Oil and Gas, and Keyless Ventures. The witness added that EFCC carried out BVN search on Keyless Venture, which revealed a name Abba Adaudu has the owner. A similar search on the other companies brought out two names: Yakubu Siyaka Adebenege, and Iyadat Sa’adat.
The former governor, Bello is facing a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering. Other accused persons are Umar Shuaibu Oricha, and Abdulsalami Hudu. The matter was adjourned the trial to November 24, December 2 and December 8, 2026, for continuation.