Courtroom Twist: EFCC Witness Rejects Harassment Claims Against Yahaya Bello’s Aides
Abuja, Nigeria – A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness openly refuted the agency’s claims of harassment and intimidation by security aides of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Mshellia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, directly contradicted the EFCC’s allegations, telling Justice Emeka Nwite that he experienced no such incidents before, during, or after the proceedings of June 26.
Earlier, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro SAN had raised an alarm, alleging that Bello’s agents subjected their witness to intimidation after his testimony on June 26. Bello’s lawyer, J. B. Daudu SAN, expressed surprise at the claims, noting that no such incidents had been reported since his client’s trial began in both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court. He promised to investigate the allegations. Justice Nwite then urged the defense counsel to thoroughly investigate the matter.
However, drama erupted when Mr. Bata sought the court’s permission to clarify the allegations himself. “My Lord, I wish to clarify the matter raised earlier before the commencement of proceedings. I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant. I was not harassed at all, and I felt the need to clarify this, my lord,” he stated, adding that he had not lodged any complaints with anyone.
As the clarification unfolded, Joseph Daudu SAN, Bello’s lawyer, drew the judge’s attention to a story on the EFCC’s website alleging that the Commission’s witness was harassed and intimidated. He further accused the EFCC of misrepresenting the facts of the previous day’s court proceedings. In response, Pinheiro SAN stated he would bring the misinformation to the attention of the EFCC office. The defense counsel commended the witness for his honesty and integrity in clarifying the situation in open court.
Witness Absolves Bello in Cross-Examination
During cross-examination by Joseph Daudu SAN, the witness further confirmed that the former governor was neither a signatory to nor connected with any of the accounts presented as evidence.
Mr. Bata admitted that, after reviewing Exhibit 22A (the bank account of Kogi Government House Administration) from pages 24 to 413, Yahaya Bello was not listed on any of the documents as a beneficiary of any of the transactions.
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“I am here to speak on the documents before me. From the document, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello’s name did not feature in any description or as beneficiary in any transaction in the documents before me,” he confirmed.
The compliance officer had earlier identified the signatories to the accounts managed for the Kogi State Government House Administration and confirmed letters introducing those who replaced key officials over time.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro SAN objected to the line of questioning, arguing that the defense counsel should restrict his questions to the document and not ask the witness about beneficiaries, stating, “The witness is not an expert of law.” However, Justice Nwite countered, “But the witness, as an expert, knows what to say.”
The witness also clarified that his supervisory role covered 13 bank branches within Abuja and surrounding areas, but did not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory.
Application for Travel Documents
Following the day’s testimony, J. B. Daudu SAN informed the court about an application for the release of the defendant’s travel documents to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical care.
The prosecution, however, stated they had filed a counter-affidavit, deeming the application “technically incompetent” and an abuse of court process, as the same application was filed at the FCT High Court. Daudu SAN countered, asserting that the prosecution was the one guilty of abusing the court process.
“We were served with the counter affidavit yesterday, and we, overnight, filed a further affidavit to the complainant’s counter affidavit with two exhibits as well,” Daudu SAN explained. “My lord, the substance of the application is for the release of his international passport in line with the conditions for the bail that if he needs, he has to apply to court. He has medical needs to attend to during the period of the vacation. After eight years of not traveling, he needs to attend to certain aspects of his health,” Daudu SAN added.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to July 3 and 4 for the continuation of the trial and July 21 for a ruling on the application to travel.
This development follows Justice Nwite’s decision on Thursday to reject the EFCC’s attempt to cross-examine its third witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, CEO of Efab Property Limited. Mr. Ojehomon had previously stated that there were no wired transfers of fees from the Kogi State Government or any local governments in the state to the account of the American school.
By PRNigeria
