By Edith Nwapi
An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, testified in court that the controversial inflows into his company account from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) were commissions for consultancy services.
The witness, Philip Kuma, the prosecution 18th witness (PW 18), made this disclosure before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja, during the ongoing trial of former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC charged Bello, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu with 16 counts of breach of trust.
They were alleged to have committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the sum of N110, billion.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Taken in evidence by the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Kuma, said he was an IT expert .
He said he was the owner of Bespoke Business Solutions and Bespoke Global Concept.
He said his company was engaged as lead consultant by the KSIRS.
While being cross-examined by Paul Daudu SAN, the 1st and 2nd defendants’ counsel, the witness said he can’t remember if signed an engagement agreement with service on behalf of his company.
He also admitted that he had no board resolutions to deviate from the agreement to pay those he described as stakeholders part of the commission.
He added that there was no requirement to pay stakeholders from the agreement reached with the service.
Earlier, during his examination-in-chief, when asked if his company provided the services free of charge, he said no.
He added that the receive 15 per cent commission on the Internalgenerated revenue (IGR) above the threshold of N350m.
The witness added that, along the line, the commission was reviewed downward from 15 per cent to five per cent.
“This was because during our engagement, the IGR grew and at the same time our operating third party was lowered because of the automation,” he added.
Kuma said Yakubu Oseni was the chairman of the revenue service when his company was engaged.
He also confirmed that Jamiu Salawu was not a shareholder in any of the companies he mentioned earlier.
He added that an agreement to pay stakeholders some percentage, which he mentioned earlier, was not anywhere in form of MoU.
“Our work is limited to automation of the tax administration processes, carrying out tax duties, tax audits, tax paying entities within the state. Also we engaged in advisory on tax policy and strategy,” he said.
The statements of account of Bespoke Business Solutions with Sterling Bank and Zenith Bank was presented to the witness for identification.
He noted that when Aliu Salami became the chairman of KSIRS, his company continued its engagement with them.
He earlier said 50 per cent of the five per cent commission they generated was given to stakeholders without mentioning specific names.
This, he later said was not in the agreement.
When asked if he knew one Jamiu Salawu, he said he was the signatory nominated by Sen Yakubu Oseni for the Zenith Bank project account of the company.
He was referred to inflows from Kogi and identified one N4.8m on Jan. 10, 2018 and N74.3m on Dec. 6, 2016.
“Following that inflow, confirm the report that there was a withdrawal by Jamiu Salawu,” Pinheiro SAN said, the witness said yes.
He also identified an inflow of N202.3m on April 21 2017 and also confirmed that there were cheque withdrawals by one Yusuf Abdulmumuni.
Shehu Bello Bala earlier testified as PW 17, on various property transactions which he told the court that none of the three defendants is connected with .
The EFCC presented a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Jamilu Abdullahi as the 19th prosecution witness.
Abdullahi said he owned three companies; E-traders International Limited, Kun-Faya-Kun, De-Remita International Limited and a personal account; Jamilu Abdullahi.
He also said he has heard of these companies Key-less Nature Limited, Ejadams Essence Limited from a customer named Abba Aduadu.
The witness also admitted knowing Forza Oil and Gas Limited, Whales and Alesua Solutions Services.
Justice Anenih then adjourned until Oct. 14, for continuation of hearing. NAN
