A prosecution witness in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has testified that he was never the Account Officer of the Kogi State Government House Administration, where funds were allegedly withdrawn unlawfully.

Mr. Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, made the claim during cross-examination on Wednesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Bello, alongside Umar Oricha (Director General, Kogi State Government House) and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bata stated that the account was domiciled at Zenith Bank’s Lokoja branch, where he never served. He confirmed that the signatories—including Abdulsalami Hudu, Chris A. Enefola, Onekutu Daniel M., Oricha Umoru Shaibu, Ahmed Idris, and Alhassan Omakoji were duly authorised to operate the account. He also noted that Central Bank of Nigeria withdrawal limits N10 million for government accounts and N500,000 for individual accounts were observed.

During cross-examination by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Bata acknowledged inconsistencies in names on withdrawal instruments but said he could not explain them without access to the introductory account documents. Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), objected to the questioning as speculative, but the court allowed the witness to respond.

Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the trial until January 15 for further hearing.