Yahaya Bello Faces Trial Over Alleged N110.4bn Corruption

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, is currently on trial at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, facing 16 counts of corruption, including breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion. An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, identified as PW18, testified that Bello allegedly paid between 50% to 60% in commissions to companies providing consulting services to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).

The witness detailed that the initial agreement provided for a 15% commission on tax collections above N350 million, which was later reduced to 5%. The court heard that payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions, with Yakubu Oseni, the former chairman of KSIRS, identified as a key figure in the arrangement.

The trial, presided over by Justice Maryann Anineh, has been adjourned to October 14, 15, 27, and 28, 2026, for further proceedings.