Bata said: “Between January 30 and February 2, 2018, multiple cash withdrawals totalling N1,096,830,000 were made.”
A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has testified that over N1.09 billion was withdrawn from the Kogi State Government House administration account within four days.
Mashelia Bata, a Zenith Bank compliance officer, gave evidence on Thursday at the resumed trial of former Governor Yahaya Bello, who faces 19 counts of alleged money laundering totalling N80 billion.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro, Bata said: “Between January 30 and February 2, 2018, multiple cash withdrawals totalling N1,096,830,000 were made.”
He also described transactions where nearly every credit inflow was quickly debited by cheque.
Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected EFCC’s attempt to cross-examine its own witness, Nicholas Ojehomon.
“I must agree with the learned counsel to the defendant that the EFCC can only cross-examine its own witness after it has declared such witness a hostile witness,” the judge ruled.