The fourth prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Mshelia Arhyel-Bata, has denied being harassed by security aides of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Arhyel-Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, made the clarification before Justice Emeka Nwite shortly after he was cross-examined by Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
“I want this to be on record. I was not harassed by any of the security details attached to the defendant either today or previously. I felt the need to clarify this,” the witness stated.
His comment came after the EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, earlier informed the court that the witness had allegedly been harassed by one or two security operatives linked to the former governor. Pinheiro noted he was not seeking any formal court pronouncement but wanted the judge to be aware.
In response, Daudu pledged to investigate the claim and report back to the court. He stressed that no previous witness had raised such concerns and that the defence would meet with the witness to understand the situation.
Justice Nwite acknowledged the issue but said he would await further clarification following Daudu’s assurance of investigation.
Daudu later commended Arhyel-Bata for his honesty in clarifying the matter publicly. He also drew the court’s attention to a report published on the EFCC’s website alleging that its witness had been harassed. He accused the EFCC of misrepresenting court proceedings and hinted at filing an application to address the issue formally.
Pinheiro responded that he would inform the EFCC about the concerns raised.
Meanwhile, during cross-examination, the bank official testified that Yahaya Bello was neither a signatory nor named as a beneficiary in any of the bank documents presented as evidence.
“From the documents before me, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello’s name did not feature in any description or as beneficiary in any transaction,” Arhyel-Bata confirmed.
He further disclosed that the signatories to the relevant accounts were officials from the Kogi State Government House Administration, including permanent secretaries and accountants. He also confirmed that his supervisory role covered a cluster of 13 Zenith Bank branches within the Federal Capital Territory alone.
Daudu informed the court about an application for the release of Bello’s travel documents, citing the former governor’s need to seek medical attention after years without international travel. However, the EFCC opposed the request, arguing that a similar application had been filed at the FCT High Court, making it an abuse of court process.
The court adjourned the matter to 3 and 4 July for continuation of trial and to 21 July for a ruling on the travel application.
Justice Nwite had earlier dismissed an EFCC attempt to cross-examine its third witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor from the American International School, Abuja. Ojehomon had testified that no school fees were paid from any Kogi government or local government account to the school.
(NAN)