A prosecution witness in the alleged money laundering trial of former Yahaya Bello told the court on Tuesday that the transactions under investigation were within limits set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The witness, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, made the statement during cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Daudu, SAN, in the ongoing case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Egoro, the 10th prosecution witness, told the court that neither Bello nor the second defendant, Shuaib Oricha, appeared in the transaction records presented as evidence.

He also confirmed that there was no “Post No Debit” restriction placed on the account tendered before the court. According to him, the first entry in the 14th column of Exhibit AP showed an inflow of ₦20 million for the supply of educational materials.

When questioned about certain transactions, Egoro said he could not determine the purpose of transfers carried out on August 10, 2022, between Fazab Business Enterprise and Abba Adaudu, or another transfer on September 13, 2022, involving Fazab and Ejadams Essence Limited.

The witness further told the court that he was unsure whether Siyaka Yakubu or Jamilu Abdullahi were signatories to the accounts mentioned in the records.

Egoro confirmed that Exhibit AR was the account opening package for E-Traders International Limited, covering the period from January 1, 2018, to December 21, 2022, and that the account was opened at Access Bank’s Maraba branch.

He added that while a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) had been filed on the account, it only indicated suspicion and required further investigation. He also noted that no court order had restricted operations on the account.

Justice Maryann Anenih later adjourned the case to March 11 for continuation of cross-examination and trial proceedings.

At a previous hearing, the witness had confirmed that Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, identified as a civil servant and Director of Accounts, was among the signatories to the Kogi State Government House Administration account but said he could not determine the specific purpose of withdrawals made from it.