Consultant Admits Sharing Half of Commission with Unnamed Stakeholders Despite Absence of Formal Agreement
By A1NEWS International / June 17, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria – Fresh details emerged on Wednesday in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as a prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama that funds paid into his company’s accounts by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) represented legitimate commissions earned for tax administration and revenue automation services.
The testimony, however, opened new lines of inquiry after the witness admitted under cross-examination that a substantial portion of the commission earned by his company was allegedly distributed to unnamed “stakeholders” despite the absence of any formal agreement authorizing such payments.
The revelations came during proceedings in the high-profile corruption case in which Bello and two co-defendants are facing allegations involving over N110.4 billion in alleged criminal breach of trust.
EFCC Continues Prosecution of Former Governor
Former Governor Yahaya Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court, Maitama.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants in suit number FCT/HC/CR/778/24 on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, and related financial offences.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly committed criminal breach of trust involving public funds totaling N110,446,470,089.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Witness Explains KIRS Revenue Collection Arrangement
Testifying as the 18th prosecution witness (PW18), Philip Kuma, an information technology expert and owner of Bespoke Business Solutions and Bespoke Global Concept, explained the nature of his company’s relationship with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.
According to Kuma, his company was contracted as a lead consultant to automate tax administration and improve internally generated revenue (IGR) collection within the state.
He told the court that the company was entitled to a commission based on revenue generated above an agreed threshold.
“Our company was entitled to 15 percent commission on internally generated revenue above N350 million,” he testified.
Kuma explained that as revenue collection improved and operational costs reduced due to automation, the commission structure was later reviewed downward to five percent.
“This was because during our engagement, the IGR grew and at the same time our operating third-party costs reduced because of automation,” he said.
Questions Arise Over Payments to Unnamed Stakeholders
A significant moment during the proceedings occurred when the witness was questioned about payments made from commissions earned by his company.
Under cross-examination by Paul Daudu (SAN), counsel to the first and second defendants, Kuma acknowledged that approximately 50 percent of the five percent commission received from KIRS was distributed to individuals he described as stakeholders.
However, the witness admitted that such an arrangement was not contained in any written agreement between his company and KIRS.
He further conceded that there was no Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) authorizing such payments.
“There was no requirement in the agreement to pay stakeholders,” he admitted.
Kuma also acknowledged that he had no board resolution authorizing any deviation from the original contractual terms.
The testimony raised questions about the basis upon which portions of the commission were distributed and the identities of those who benefited from the payments.
Ownership Structure and Company Operations Examined
The witness identified Margaret Kuma and Augustine Kuma as shareholders of Bespoke Solutions Services Limited.
He also confirmed that Jamiu Salawu was not a shareholder in any of the companies under discussion.
According to Kuma, the company’s responsibilities included:
- Automation of tax administration processes;
- Tax assessment and collection services;
- Tax audits;
- Identification of taxable entities;
- Tax policy advisory services; and
- Revenue strategy development.
He informed the court that the company’s engagement with KIRS continued even after Aliu Nda Salami assumed leadership of the revenue agency.
Bank Records Reveal Large Inflows from KIRS
As part of the proceedings, statements of account belonging to Bespoke Business Solutions held with Sterling Bank and Zenith Bank were presented before the court for identification.
The witness identified several inflows originating from Kogi State government accounts.
Among the transactions highlighted were:
- N4.8 million received on January 10, 2018;
- N74.3 million received on December 6, 2016; and
- N202.3 million received on April 21, 2017.
Lead prosecuting counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) questioned the witness on transactions that followed the inflows.
Kuma confirmed that withdrawals were subsequently made by individuals including Jamiu Salawu and Yusuf Abdulmumuni from the accounts in question.
The prosecution appeared to focus on tracing the movement of funds after they entered the consultancy firm’s accounts.
Previous Witness Disconnects Defendants from Property Transactions
Earlier in the day’s proceedings, the 17th prosecution witness, Shehu Bello Bala, testified regarding several property transactions that had become part of the broader investigation.
Bala informed the court that none of the three defendants was directly connected to the property transactions under examination.
His testimony provided a contrasting perspective to aspects of the prosecution’s case concerning asset ownership and financial linkages.
Bureau de Change Operator Testifies
The EFCC also called its 19th prosecution witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator.
Abdullahi told the court that he owns several companies, including:
- E-Traders International Limited;
- Kun-Faya-Kun;
- De-Remita International Limited; and
- A personal business account operated in his name.
The witness further testified that he became aware of companies such as Key-less Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited through one of his customers, Abba Aduadu.
He also acknowledged familiarity with Forza Oil and Gas Limited, Whales, and Alesua Solutions Services.
The prosecution is expected to rely on the testimony to establish financial relationships and transaction trails linked to entities under investigation.
Court Adjourns to October
Following the conclusion of the day’s proceedings, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the matter until October 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
Legal analysts monitoring the case say the prosecution’s focus on revenue consultancy contracts, commission payments, banking records, and financial intermediaries suggests an effort to trace the movement of funds connected to the allegations against the former governor and his co-defendants.
As the EFCC intensifies its efforts to establish how public funds were managed and disbursed during the period under investigation, testimony from consultants, financial service providers, and banking records continues to form a crucial part of the prosecution’s strategy. However, with the defendants maintaining their innocence and challenging aspects of the evidence presented, the court’s eventual determination will depend on whether the prosecution can successfully link the financial transactions under scrutiny to the criminal allegations contained in the 16-count charge.
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