I Wasn’t Harassed By Yahaya Bello’s Aides, Says EFCC Witness

Drama erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday when the witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mshellia Bata openly refuted the allegation by the agency that he was thoroughly harassed and intimidated by security aides of former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello on account of his testimony in court.

The witness, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank in the open court told Justice Emeka Nwite that nothing of such happened to him before, during and after the proceedings of June 26 contrary to the allegations by the agency.

EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro SAN had before the proceedings of June 27 raised an alarm that the EFCC witness was subjected to intimidation and harrassment by agents of Yahaya Bello after giving evidence on June 26.

Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu SAN had expressed surprise with the allegations on the ground that such ugly action had never happened or reported since the trial of his client began in the Federal High Court and the High Court of the FCT both in Abuja.

He promised to look into the allegations and report back to the court on the next adjourned date.

Justice Nwite thereafter urged the defendant’s counsel to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Drama, however, erupted when the prosecution witness sought permission of the court to clear the air on the allegations, raised by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, at the beginning of the day’s proceedings.

As the drama was unfolding, the defendant’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, suddenly called the attention of the Judge to a story on the EFCC’s website, alleging that the Commission’s witness was harassed and intimidated saying the EFCC misrepresented the facts of the previous day’s court proceedings.

Responding, Pinheiro, SAN said he would call the attention of the EFCC office to the misinformation and the defendant’s counsel commended the witness for his honesty and integrity in coming forward to clarify the situation in the open court.

The witness, during cross-examination by Joseph Daudu, the Defendant’s Counsel, confirmed that the former governor was neither a signatory to nor connected with any of the accounts presented as evidence admitting that, Yahaya Bello was not also listed on any of the documents as a beneficiary of any of the transactions.

The compliance officer had earlier mentioned the signatories on the accounts managed for the Kogi State Government House Administration and also confirmed letters that introduced those who replaced some key officials along the line.

The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, objected, saying that the Defendant’s counsel should restrict his questions to the document and not ask the witness who benefitted.

The witness had earlier explained that he supervises a cluster of 13 branches within Abuja and other places like Gwagwalada, University of Abuja, Ahmadu Bello way, Baze University, Garki, and Garki Ultra Modern Market, among others.

He mentioned the names, ranging from the Permanent Secretary to the Chief Accountant, and accountant hence the testimony for the day,.

J. B Daudu thereafter informed the court about the application for the release of the Defendant’s travel documents to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for medical care.

Pinherio said the same application was filed at the FCT High Court, adding that it was an abuse of court process and
Daudu, said the prosecution was the one guilty of abuse of court process.

The judge, however, adjourned to July 3 and 4 for continuation of trial and July 21 for ruling on the application to travel.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji