Key Testimony in Ongoing Trial of Former Kogi State Governor
A compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, Abimbola Williams, testified in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on Wednesday regarding a significant financial transaction involving the Kogi State Government account. She stated that N640 million was withdrawn from the account within six days through 64 cheques of N10 million each. These withdrawals were executed by Abdulsalami Hudu, the former Chief Accountant of the Government House, between July 31 and August 6, 2019.
Williams, who served as the third prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, provided detailed information about these transactions. The case involves Bello, Hudu, and Shaibu Oricha, the Director-General of the Kogi Government House Administration, who are facing charges related to an alleged N110.4bn fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During her testimony, Williams confirmed the existence of serial transactions involving Hudu. When questioned by EFCC counsel Pinheiro, she affirmed that there were consistent transactions linked to Hudu. She further explained that the total amount withdrawn over six days amounted to 64 transactions of N10 million each, totaling N640 million.
Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Joseph Daudu, Williams acknowledged that she had previously given similar evidence in another legal proceeding. While confirming her role as a Compliance Officer, she clarified that she was not the Relationship Manager or Account Officer responsible for managing the account daily. She also mentioned that as a Compliance Officer, she could work in any branch and had reported for duty at the Wuse 2 branch in Abuja that morning.
Williams emphasized that while she could not determine the reason behind the withdrawals, the bank typically requested the purpose of high-volume transactions. However, she noted that such inquiries were not made for cash withdrawals. She added that the bank is not an internal auditor of its customers.
She also mentioned that a transfer was made by one Bello Abdullateef from the Government House account on July 5, 2019, but clarified that the bank did not breach any regulations in allowing these transactions. Additionally, she stated that no withdrawal exceeded N10 million in the transactions presented before the court.
Williams listed the authorised signatories on the Kogi Government House account as of 2004, including Christopher Enefola, Onekutu Daniel, and Hudu Abdulsalami. She also referred to a letter dated September 2008, which included three signatures — Elder P.S. Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar, and Hudu Abdulsalami.
During cross-examination by Counsel to the 3rd defendant, A.M. Aliyu, Williams was presented with a bank statement where withdrawals were made. She admitted that the narration on the credit entry was the Governor’s Security Fund and noted a credit entry of N100 million in two tranches of N50 million each. When asked if she could confirm that the funds were not used for security purposes, she responded that she was not privy to the details of the transaction.
At the close of the cross-examination of the 3rd prosecution witness, the EFCC called its 4th subpoenaed witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank. He confirmed that he had a 13-page document before him, detailing various cash deposits. However, counsel to the 2nd defendant, A.M. Aliyu, objected to the admissibility of the document, citing non-compliance with the Evidence Act.
Akoni described the statement of accounts, mentioning a cash deposit of N3 million by Moses Wanzu, N15 million by Abdulwahab Sabo, and N20 million by Shehu Bello, totaling approximately N57 million. He also explained how he identified the branch where the account was domiciled using the first three digits of the account number.
Under cross-examination by Daudu, Akoni admitted that he did not know the 1st defendant (Bello) or the 3rd defendant (Oricha) and acknowledged that he was unfamiliar with the details of the transactions he mentioned. Under cross-examination by Aliyu, he also admitted not knowing the source or purpose of the funds.
The prosecution then called its 5th witness from Polaris Bank, Victoria Oluwafemi. Before proceeding, Daudu informed the court of an application challenging jurisdiction, urging the court to address the issue to avoid wasting time on witnesses. Prosecution’s counsel, Pinheiro, argued that the application was not yet ripe for hearing and suggested that it be addressed on November 12.
The trial is scheduled to continue on October 9, 2025, following an adjournment by Justice Anenih.
