The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to March 7, 2025, for further proceedings. The case was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During Thursday’s hearing, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, presented a subpoenaed witness, Williams Abimbola, a Compliance Officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Abimbola confirmed that the bank had received an additional subpoena requesting the account statement of one Maselina Njoku from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena as ‘Exhibit 7’.
The witness also confirmed 10 withdrawals of ₦10 million each in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018, made using cheques and processed over the counter.
However, during cross-examination, Abimbola stated that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in the documents related to the opening or management of the Kogi Government House Bank account.
She also clarified that she was not the account officer for the account, which is domiciled in Lokoja, Kogi State, whereas she works at the bank’s Area 3 branch in Abuja.
Defense Counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, questioned the witness on whether her role as a compliance officer involved protecting the bank from legal, financial, and reputational risks, to which she affirmed.
When asked to review the account documents and confirm if Yahaya Bello’s name appeared anywhere, she responded that it did not.
The defense closed its cross-examination after this confirmation.
The EFCC Counsel proceeded with a re-examination, asking if the witness was familiar with the signature on the document. She stated that she signed on behalf of one Edward Bananga.
However, the defense objected and sought to cross-examine her again. Daudu, SAN, argued that the witness had initially denied the signature but later admitted to it under re-examination, giving him the right to challenge its accuracy.
When asked to confirm whether she was Edward Bananga, she admitted that she was not.
Additionally, the prosecution presented another witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School.
Exhibits tendered included school statements of account, admission letters for the defendant’s children, and payment receipts.
A contractual agreement for post-paid school fees was also submitted as Exhibit 12P.
The prosecution further presented a letter from the EFCC to the school, which was marked as Exhibit 18, along with an account for a refund.
Following these proceedings, the court adjourned the trial to March 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. for continuation.
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