News

₦1.1bn Kogi Commission Payment Lawful, Witness Tells Court

Published

9 months ago

January 17, 2026

By Comfort Olayinka

A prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that a tax consultant engaged by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) acted within Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations in withdrawing over ₦952 million paid as commission.

Testifying in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and two others over alleged corruption, Mr David Ajoda, a Compliance Officer with Sterling Bank, disclosed that KSIRS paid a total sum of ₦1,164,929,569 to the tax consultant between January and August 2019.

Ajoda said that within the same eight-month period, ₦952.4 million was withdrawn from the consultant’s Sterling Bank account, leaving a balance of ₦212,525,569. According to him, the withdrawals were carried out in multiple tranches by one Phillip Unar and followed a consistent pattern.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness tendered the consultant’s bank account records, which were admitted by the court. He noted that prior to the consultancy engagement, the account balance stood at just over ₦2 million, adding that inflows rose sharply once the tax consultancy arrangement commenced.

However, Ajoda admitted that he had no knowledge of the specific terms or scope of the tax consultancy agreement between KSIRS and the consultant.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed that the name “Kogi State Government” did not appear in the bank transactions and that the account belonged solely to the consultant, who was legally entitled to make withdrawals in line with existing laws.

He further told the court that CBN regulations permit maximum cash withdrawals of ₦5 million per transaction for individuals and ₦10 million for corporate entities, stressing that the consultant’s withdrawals did not breach these limits. Consequently, he said, no suspicious transaction report was filed against the account.

Ajoda also confirmed that neither Yahaya Bello nor his co-defendants—Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—featured as beneficiaries of any withdrawals from the account. He added that KSIRS is a distinct entity from the Kogi State Government.

Justice Maryann Anenih subsequently adjourned further hearing in the matter to February 10.

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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Samania

The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.

Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.

He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.

According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.

He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.

Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.

He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.

Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.

He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.

Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.

He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.

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