A Federal High Court in Abuja heard testimony on Tuesday from Remigius Egu, a compliance officer at Zenith Bank, who revealed how over N3 billion from various Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kogi State was allegedly diverted through private accounts.
Egu was testifying in the ongoing trial of Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and three other defendants facing charges of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
Egu confirmed multiple suspicious transactions traced to the account of Korforte Concept Limited, one of the implicated entities.
These transactions, which occurred on October 4, 2023, included large sums transferred from several LGAs in Kogi, such as:
Ogori Magongo LGA: N14,844,640.57
Ibeji LGA: N18,629,944.51
Adavi LGA: N20,887,557.54
Kogi LGA: N17,929.59
Kabba/Bunu LGA: N18,460,569.12
Ajaokuta LGA: N22,764,334.70
Okene LGA: N20,758,710.37
Yagba West LGA: N18,234,063.61
Ofu LGA: N21,368,633.69
Egu detailed these findings as part of evidence in the case against Bello and three other defendants—Yakubu Isiaka Adabenege, Abba Adaudu, and Iyada Sadat—who are accused of laundering public funds.
In related testimony, Oyinkosola Akerele Shukurat, Managing Director of Forza Oil and Gas Limited, revealed that her company processed payments on behalf of Abdul Bashir for the school fees of Fatima, Na’ima, and Zara Bello, totaling $139,000 at the American International School in Abuja.
The case has been adjourned by Justice Obiora Egwuatu to May 5, 2025, with further proceedings scheduled.