Nigeria Newspapers Online

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the name of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State did not appear in any of the account opening packages for the Government House bank account with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Abimbola Williams, a Compliance Officer with UBA, admitted before the court that Bello’s name did not feature in all the withdrawals made from the account number 1003889575, managed by UBA for the Kogi Government House Administration while Yahaya Bello was the governor.

Testifying in a money laundering charges brought against the former governor by EFCC, the subpoenaed banker tendered the account opening packages for Government House Administration under Bello’s tenure.

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The subpoena, according to the prosecution, requested the production of the statement of account of one Maselina Njoku, from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness also tendered the account statements operated during Bello’s tenure as the chief executive of Kogi State.

She read out a series of withdrawals through cheques from the account for the government House operations.

Specifically, she named one Abdulsalami Hudu as the person handling fund withdrawals on behalf of the Government House.

However, under cross examination by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness said Bello’s name did not feature in virtually all transactions in respect of the bank account.

She also admitted that she was not the accounts officer of the Kogi Government House account and that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, Kogi State, and not in Area 3, Abuja, where she works.

The witness confirmed 10 withdrawals in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu, each in the sum of N10 million, on December 12, 2018. She said the withdrawals were made with cheques and presented across the counter.

Bello, facing 19-count charges bordering on money laundering worth N82 billion during his tenure between 2015 and 2023, was arraigned and granted bail in December 2024 after pleading not guilty to the charges.  

The court has adjourned the matter to March 7 for the continuation of the trial.