Compliance officer clears Yahaya Bello in court over fraud account and harassment allegation concerns.
Abuja, Nigeria (Epicstorian News) — The fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing Yahaya Bello fraud trial has denied claims of harassment by the former Kogi State Governor’s security aides.
Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, made the clarification on Friday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after cross-examination.
“My Lord, I wish to clarify the matter raised earlier before the commencement of proceedings. I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant,” Bata stated in court.
This statement directly contradicted an earlier assertion by lead prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who claimed the witness had been intimidated by security personnel.
Compliance Officer Testifies Bello Not Listed in Bank Documents
During further proceedings, the witness confirmed that former governor Yahaya Bello was neither a signatory to, nor a beneficiary of, any of the accounts presented in evidence.
Bata reviewed Exhibit 22A—spanning pages 24 to 413—and said Bello’s name was absent from all listed financial documents, according to Vanguard Nigeria.
“I am here to speak on the documents before me. From the document, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello’s name did not feature in any description or as beneficiary in any transaction in the documents before me,” Bata told the court.
EFCC Accused of Misrepresentation in Yahaya Bello Fraud Case
Defence counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, drew the judge’s attention to a story published on the EFCC’s official website, which claimed that their witness had been harassed. Daudu insisted the Commission misrepresented the previous day’s proceedings.
Pinheiro responded by noting that he would take the issue to the EFCC for internal review. Justice Emeka Nwite acknowledged the concern and urged both sides to investigate the matter responsibly before taking further legal steps.
Judge Commends Honesty as Witness Requests Clarification on Record
At the end of the session, Bata sought permission to address the court again and reiterated his earlier position denying any form of intimidation or harassment.
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The judge granted his request, and the defence team praised the witness for his honesty and sense of duty to the court.
Bata also detailed his professional role, supervising 13 Zenith Bank branches within Abuja and neighboring areas such as Gwagwalada, Baze University, and Garki.
He confirmed his duties did not extend beyond the Federal Capital Territory.
Court Reviews Travel Document Request in Yahaya Bello Fraud Trial
The session also included arguments over an application by the defence to retrieve Yahaya Bello’s international passport for medical travel. Daudu argued that the request was in line with his client’s bail conditions and was necessary due to urgent health matters.
Pinheiro opposed the request, citing that a similar application had been filed in the FCT High Court, labeling the defence’s move an abuse of court process.
Daudu responded, asserting that the EFCC was instead guilty of abusing judicial procedure.
After hearing both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to July 3 and 4 for continuation, and to July 21 for a ruling on the travel request.
