At the resumed hearing of the alleged ₦80.2 billion Kogi State Government fraud case against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, Prosecution Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, raised concerns over harassment of Prosecution Witness Mashelia Aryan Mashelia Bata, a ComplianceOfficer with Zenith bank, PW4.
Pinheiro informed the court that PW4 was allegedly harassed by one or two security aides attached to the defendant, describing it as a “serious interference with the criminal justice process.”
In response, Defence Counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, expressed doubt that the individuals involved were the defendant’s security personnel but promised to investigate the incident. “This is not the first witness to testify and none have been harassed. However, I will look into it and get back to the court on the next adjourned date. I will also speak to the witness so he can identify who harassed him,” he said.
Cross-examination of PW4 is ongoing.
