A senior official from Access Bank has testified about suspicious transactions involving billions of naira allegedly originating from Kogi State Local Government Areas (LGAs) and funneled into private accounts.
The transactions occurred during the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello and were flagged and reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The witness, Ofure Achille, former Head of Operations at Access Bank’s Lokoja branch, testified in the trial of Ali Bello, a nephew of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Ali Bello is facing 18 counts of money laundering involving the alleged diversion of N3 billion belonging to Kogi State.
Achille stated that multiple transactions involving hundreds of millions of naira were inconsistent with the financial profiles of the account holders.
“These transactions were flagged and reported to the NFIU as Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) under anti-money laundering laws,” she said.
Achille also revealed that accounts linked to co-defendants—including Fazab Business Enterprise and Hyzman Art Construction Limited, received substantial funds from various Kogi LGAs.
She noted that on 29 August 2017, Ary construction received inflows totaling N171 million, with the first deposit of only N10,000 earlier that day.
The trial continues before Justice Obiora Egwatu as prosecutors build their case against the defendants.