A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that his company paid between 50 and 60 per cent of its consultancy commissions to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.
Key highlight:
- An EFCC witness testified at the trial of Yahaya Adoza Bello, alleging that his company paid 50–60% of its consultancy commissions to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).
- Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing a 16-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling N110.4 billion.
- The witness said his company provided technology, tax automation, audit, and advisory services to KSIRS and initially earned a 15% commission on tax collections above N350 million, later reduced to 5%.
- According to the testimony, large portions of the commissions were allegedly paid to stakeholders through bank transfers and cash transactions based on instructions linked to former KSIRS chairmen Yakubu Oseni and Aliyu Nda Salami.
- The witness submitted bank statements as evidence and identified transactions including inflows of N92.4 million and N261.8 million in August 2017, followed by withdrawals from the company’s account.
The witness, who appeared as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 18th prosecution witness, made the claim on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, while testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, over 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 technology solutions, software development, tax automation, audit and advisory services to the state revenue agency.
He explained that the firm was initially entitled to a 15 per cent commission on tax collections above N350 million, but the arrangement was later reviewed to five per cent after revenue increased and automation reduced operational expenses.
The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman Senator Yakubu Oseni, as one of the officials he worked with during the consultancy period.
He told the court that a significant portion of the commissions received by his company was paid to certain stakeholders, noting that the payments were not included in the official agreement.
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According to him, the funds were transferred through bank channels and also paid in cash, allegedly following instructions linked to Oseni and later his successor, Aliyu Nda Salami, through their aides.
The witness tendered bank statements belonging to Bespoke Business Solution from Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank as exhibits.
While reviewing the documents, he confirmed several transactions involving payments from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and withdrawals associated with a signatory, Jami’u Salihu.
He further identified an inflow of N92.4 million on August 9, 2017, and another payment of N261.8 million on August 14, 2017, followed by withdrawals from the account.
