Secret Kickbacks Exposed: “We Paid 60% of Our Profits to Kogi Officials,” Witness Tells Court
The ongoing N110.4 billion corruption trial of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, took a dramatic turn at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
A key technology contractor has openly confessed to pumping massive chunks of his company’s earnings straight back into the pockets of Kogi State government officials.
The 60% Secret Cut
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought forward its 18th prosecution witness (PW18), Philip Kuma. Kuma is an IT expert and the owner of Bespoke Business Solutions, a firm hired by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) to handle tax automation and software development.
While being led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Kuma revealed a shocking arrangement. He explained that his company originally had a deal to keep a 15 percent commission on tax collections above N350 million. Even though that cut was later dropped to 5 percent as state revenue grew, Kuma dropped a bombshell about where that money actually went.
“Between 50 and 60 per cent of the commissions were paid to certain stakeholders,” Kuma confessed to Justice Maryanne Anineh. When the prosecution asked if these massive kickbacks were part of the official legal contract, Kuma replied with a flat, “No.”
Kuma explained that these millions were sent via cash and bank transfers through a designated nominee signatory, Jami’u Salihu, who operated the bank accounts independently under instructions from top state revenue bosses.
Massive Bank Transfers Uncovered
The court reviewed several financial documents tracking the movement of these suspicious funds. Kuma confirmed huge cash drops from the Kogi State revenue board into his company’s accounts, including:
- N92.4 million on August 9, 2017
- N261.8 million on August 14, 2017
The EFCC also tracked a N70 million payment leaving the IT firm’s account directly to a real estate company, Efab Properties. However, Kuma claimed he had no idea what specific luxury property that money was used to buy.
The Noose Tightens Around Yahaya Bello
This explosive testimony comes just days after the FCT High Court completely dismissed an application by Yahaya Bello’s legal team to strike out the 16-count charge. Bello’s lawyers had argued that the Abuja court lacked the territorial power to try crimes committed in Kogi State, but Justice Anineh ruled that the trial must proceed because the luxury properties bought with the allegedly stolen billions are sitting right inside Abuja.
Interestingly, this multi-billion naira legal battle is unfolding at a time when Yahaya Bello is making a massive political play. Despite facing a 19-count money laundering charge at the Federal High Court alongside this 16-count breach of trust charge, Bello recently secured the All Professionals Congress (APC) ticket to run for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the trial now adjourned to October 14, 15, 27, and 28, 2026, for more witnesses to testify, the public is waiting to see if Bello’s political dreams will survive the intense evidence stacking up against him.
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