The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday tendered fresh banking records from Zenith Bank as it continued the prosecution’s case in the ₦110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello. The documents were presented while the prosecution was cross‑examining a Zenith Bank compliance officer called to give evidence before the Federal High Court.

The compliance officer was led through a series of questions as the prosecution sought to link the bank records to allegations that various irregular transactions passed through accounts linked to individuals and entities associated with the ex‑governor. The newly tendered records were admitted into evidence and have now become part of the official court record in the sprawling financial crime case.

The case, which has attracted intense public scrutiny, centres on allegations that Bello and his associates diverted public funds amounting to ₦110.4 billion during his tenure as governor of Kogi State. The EFCC has accused him of using various bank accounts to conceal transactions that allegedly lacked legitimate sources and documentary support. Bello has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

During cross‑examination, the Zenith Bank compliance officer was asked to confirm details contained in lengthy transaction logs, account opening documents, and compliance reports. The EFCC prosecutor meticulously walked the witness through dates, amounts, account names and transfer patterns to demonstrate how funds moved across multiple accounts. The witness verified that the documents originated from Zenith Bank’s internal systems and were produced in the ordinary course of business, meeting the standards required for admissibility in court.

The tendering of these bank records represents a key moment in the prosecution’s strategy, as the EFCC seeks to establish a clear paper trail linking questionable transactions to the accused. Analysts say compliance officers often play a crucial role in financial crime trials by explaining bank procedures, the significance of internal alerts, and how suspicions about irregular flows are handled by financial institutions.

The defence team has signalled that it will carefully challenge the bank records and the interpretation of the transaction data. Lawyers for Yahaya Bello maintained in earlier hearings that the prosecution’s evidence is circumstantial and that many of the transactions under scrutiny can be explained as legitimate business activities.

In prior sessions, the court heard from other witnesses, including forensic accountants and EFCC investigators, who testified about their findings following months of examination of financial records and public contracts linked to the Kogi State government. The compliance officer’s testimony adds a new dimension by providing a bank official’s perspective on how the records were generated and maintained.

The trial has seen moments of tension between prosecution and defence lawyers as legal teams spar over the admissibility of certain documents and the interpretation of financial data. The presiding judge has repeatedly emphasised the importance of adherence to legal standards, ensuring that all evidence tendered meets the rules of evidence and fair trial provisions.

Public interest in the case remains high, with many Nigerians following updates closely on social media and in mainstream media outlets. The EFCC, as the prosecuting agency, has reiterated that its actions are in pursuit of accountability and justice, while defence counsel has reiterated that Bello is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

As the trial progresses, further witnesses are expected to be called, and the next stages will likely focus on expert testimony on financial analysis and the context surrounding the transactions identified in the bank records. For now, the admission of fresh Zenith Bank records marks one of the more significant developments in the case and signals that the prosecution is intensifying its efforts to prove its narrative.