By Lami Ibrahim
A prosecution witness in the ongoing N110.4 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama that between 50 and 60 percent of commissions earned from a tax consultancy contract with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) were allegedly paid as kickbacks to certain stakeholders.
The witness, who testified as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s 18th prosecution witness (PW18), made the disclosure before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
According to the witness, his company was engaged by KSIRS to provide tax automation, software implementation, tax audit, and tax advisory services aimed at improving revenue collection in the state.
He explained that the consultancy agreement initially entitled the company to a 15 percent commission on tax collections above N350 million but was later reviewed downward to five percent after the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased significantly and operational costs reduced due to automation.
The witness, however, alleged that a substantial portion of the commissions received did not remain with the company.
“Between 50 and 60 percent of the commissions were paid to certain stakeholders,” he told the court, stressing that such payments were not included in the consultancy agreement.
He identified former KSIRS Chairman, Senator Yakubu Oseni, as one of the key officials he dealt with during the contract period and alleged that the payments were made through bank transfers and cash transactions based on directives communicated through Oseni’s Personal Assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni.
The witness further claimed that similar arrangements continued under Oseni’s successor, Aliyu Nda Salami, through another aide identified as Abdulwahab.
As part of the evidence, the witness tendered account statements belonging to his company, including a Zenith Bank account statement marked as Exhibit X1 and a Sterling Bank account statement admitted as Exhibit AD1.
He also told the court that one Jami’u Salihu, allegedly nominated by Oseni, was made a signatory to the company’s project account and could operate the account independently.
While reviewing the bank records, the witness pointed to several transactions, including inflows of N92.4 million and N261.8 million from KSIRS in August 2017, which he said were subsequently withdrawn by Salihu.
Yahaya Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
The trial continues.
