Fresh details have emerged in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, after a witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed how an alleged kickback arrangement operated during business dealings linked to the state government.
The witness, who appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, told the court that his company handled consultancy services connected to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service during Bello’s administration.
While giving evidence, he explained that his company was involved in tax automation and revenue consultancy services for the state government under an agreement that allowed the company to receive commissions based on tax collections.
According to the witness, after payments were made to the company, a large percentage of the commission earned was allegedly paid back to officials connected to the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service as part of an arrangement that lasted for several months.
He told the court that the original agreement gave the company a commission of 15 percent on tax revenue collected above a certain amount, but the arrangement was later reviewed and reduced to five percent.
The witness further claimed that between 50 and 60 percent of the commission payments received by the company were allegedly returned to certain government officials as kickbacks.
The testimony forms part of the wider corruption case filed by the EFCC against Yahaya Bello over allegations involving the mismanagement and diversion of public funds during his time as governor.
Prosecutors are relying on witness accounts, financial records and other documents as they attempt to prove allegations of fraud and money laundering against the former governor.
Yahaya Bello has continued to deny wrongdoing, with his legal team maintaining that the charges against him are unfounded and that the former governor acted within the law during his administration.
The case remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corruption trials, with more witnesses expected to testify as the court continues hearing evidence in the high-profile matter.