AN Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has informed an Abuja High Court that the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue (KSIRS) paid more than N1.1 billion as commission to a tax consultant, Bespoke Business Solutions Limited, within 8 months in 2019, under Mr Yahaya Bello.
The witness, Mr David Ajoma, made the disclosure while giving evidence in the ongoing trial of a former Kogi State Governor, Mr Bello, alongside Mr Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Mr Abdulsalam Hudu.
Mr Ajoma told the court that the payments were effected between January and August 2019. Mr Bello and his co-defendants are facing charges before Justice Maryanne Anenih over alleged criminal breach of trust involving N110.446 billion, to which they have all pleaded not guilty.
Yahaya Bello in court
During his testimony, the witness tendered bank statements belonging to Bespoke Business Solutions Limited. According to him, the statements showed multiple credit entries from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in 2019.
He further stated that within the same 8-month period, the consultant withdrew N952.4 million from its Sterling Bank account, leaving a balance of N212,525,569.
READ ALSO: Natasha: Tinubu’s men persuading me to join APC, but I am staying in PDP
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Mr Ajoma said he was not aware of the specific terms or nature of the business relationship between the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and the consultant. He added that prior to the engagement, the consultant’s account balance was slightly above N2 million, but rose significantly after the consultancy commenced.
Under cross-examination by Mr Joseph Daudu, (SAN), counsel to Bello and Mr Umar Shuaibu Oricha, the witness acknowledged that the name ‘Kogi State Government’ did not appear in the bank transactions. He confirmed that the account belonged to the consultant and that withdrawals were carried out in line with existing laws.
Mr Ajoma also told the court that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations permitted maximum cash withdrawals of N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate entities per transaction, noting that the consultant did not exceed these limits.
He further confirmed that no suspicious transaction report was filed and that Mr Bello and his co-defendants were not beneficiaries of the withdrawals. The witness also clarified that the Kogi State government and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service were distinct entities.
Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the case until February 10 for continuation of trial.
