A prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, involved in the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has raised concerns over harassment of Prosecution Witness Mashelia Aryan Mashelia Bata, a Compliance Officer with Zenith bank, PW4.
The lawyer made the claim at the resumed hearing of the alleged N80.2 billion Kogi State Government fraud case against Bello.
He is standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Pinheiro informed the court on Friday 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.