Zenith Bank staff details millions transferred from Kogi LGAs to Ali Bello’s associate. Learn about the ongoing money laundering trial in Abuja
A staff member of Zenith Bank Plc, Femi Remigus, has presented exhibits detailing how millions of naira were deposited into the bank account of Komfort Koncept Company, linked to Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and his associate, Abba Daudu.
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The deposits originated from various Local Government Area (LGA) accounts in Kogi State during 2018.Remigus, serving as the 6th prosecution witness (PW-6), tendered these exhibits before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, under the guidance of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Ali Bello, nephew to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, is facing allegations of money laundering amounting to N3 billion.
The EFCC arraigned Ali Bello, Abba Daudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello (at large) on 18 counts of criminal misappropriation and money laundering on February 8, 2023. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Remigus explained how substantial sums were transferred from various LGA accounts into Komfort Koncept Company’s account.
He highlighted specific transactions, stating, “On October 4, 2018, there were nine credits or inflows into the account of Komfort Koncept Company.”
He further detailed the sources of these funds, including:
* N18,629,944 from Ibaji LGA
* N20,887,537 from Adavi LGA
* N17,496,929 from Kogi LGA
* N18,460,565 from Kabba LGA
* N17 million from Ankpa LGA
* N18,234,063 from Yagba West LGA
* N21,363,633 from Ofu LGA
Remigus also revealed that the Komfort Koncept account had a balance of only N7,275 before these inflows, and that on the same day, N105 million was transferred to Abba Daudu and others.
The EFCC presented associated bank documents, including account statements and opening packages, which were admitted as exhibits despite objections from the defence.
The court adjourned the trial until May 5, May 19, May 20, and May 21 for continuation. This Kogi money laundering trial is continuing to bring new details to light.
