Court adjourns high-profile rice supply case to May 2026 

Proceedings continued in the high-profile case involving Winwin Oil Company Limited, Atoll Civil Engineering, and supplier George Banna, as testimony shed light on the financial transactions underpinning a controversial COVID-19 rice supply contract.

During cross-examination, it was confirmed that Winwin Oil Company Limited had entered into an arrangement with supplier George Banna to source rice locally. Representatives from Winwin, the Ministry of Trade, the World Food Programme (WFP), and Mr Banna himself visited the warehouse where the rice was stored. Samples were taken by the WFP and tested in accordance with UN procedures. After three weeks, results confirmed the rice was fit for consumption, paving the way for the contract to proceed.

Payments followed: the government paid vendors, vendors paid Winwin, and Winwin in turn transferred funds to George Banna. The witness testified that these payments were made via bank transfers from Winwin’s Access Bank account. When shown the Access Bank statement, the witness confirmed its authenticity, and the court admitted the document into evidence as Exhibit D6, covering the period from 1 November 2020 to 21 September 2021.

From Exhibit D6, it was revealed that on 11 February 2021, a transfer of Eight Million Dalasis was made from Winwin’s Access Bank account to George Banna. This was the only transfer recorded in the statement.

Attention then turned to Atoll Civil Engineering Company Limited. Testimony confirmed that Atoll had been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Trade, with funds deposited into Atoll’s account. Payments were subsequently made from Atoll’s account to joint partners, including George Banna.

The witness acknowledged being a shareholder in Atoll, holding 35%, though not a majority stake. Payments from Atoll to Banna were processed through Zenith Bank, and the Zenith Bank statement was also confirmed as authentic.

The court adjourned the matter to 5 May 2026 at 1:00 pm, where further examination of the financial records and contractual arrangements is expected.