UBA official narrates how Yahaya Bello diverted ₦640m from Kogi govt accounts in 6 days

A compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Abimbola Williams, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, that ₦640 million was withdrawn from the Kogi State Government account within six days.

Williams, who testified as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said the withdrawals were made through 64 cheques of ₦10 million each by the then Chief Accountant of the Government House, Abdulsalami Hudu, between July 31 and August 6, 2019.

Bello, Hudu, and the Director-General of the Kogi Government House Administration, Shaibu Oricha, are facing trial before Justice Maryanne Anenih over an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During examination-in-chief, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Pinheiro, asked NAIJAONPOINT , “Do you confirm there are serial transactions involving Abdulsalami Hudu?”

NAIJAONPOINT replied, “Yes, my Lord.”

Pinheiro further inquired, “Do you see similar consistent transactions with Abdulsalami Hudu?”

Williams again confirmed, “Yes.”

She then explained, “Between July 31 and August 6, 2019, the total amount of cash withdrawal made in six days by the 3rd defendant (Abdulsalami Hudu) was 64 transactions of ₦10 million each, totalling ₦640 million.”

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Williams confirmed she had given similar testimony before the Federal High Court in the case FRN vs. Yahaya Adoiza Bello (Suit No. HC/ABJ/CR/98/2024).

She clarified that while she served as a Compliance Officer, she was not the Relationship Manager or Account Officer managing the Kogi account daily.

According to her, “I understand the duties of a cashier, which include paying and receiving cash. A customer can withdraw money as much as he wishes, provided the mandate is correct.”

Williams also stated that, as a Compliance Officer, she could work in any branch of the bank, adding, “Today, I reported to 18, Adetokunbo Ademola, Wuse 2, Abuja.”

Responding to further questions, she said she was not aware of the purpose of the withdrawals but noted that while banks require transaction purposes for transfers, they do not demand such explanations for cash withdrawals.

She added that “a banker is not an internal auditor of the customer.”

NAIJAONPOINT also told the court that one Bello Abdullateef made transfers in tranches from the Government House account on July 5, 2019, but maintained that the bank did not breach any regulation in processing the transactions.

She added that none of the withdrawals exceeded ₦10 million per transaction.

Listing the signatories to the Kogi Government House account as of 2004, Williams named Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Hudu Abdulsalami (Accountant), referencing Exhibit F2, Page 37.

She further identified a 2008 letter with signatures of Elder P.S. Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalami Hudu (Senior Accountant).

During cross-examination by counsel to the 3rd defendant, A.M. Aliyu, NAIJAONPOINT was shown a bank statement (Page 3 of F1, May 27, 2019), where the withdrawals were recorded.

When asked whether the funds were used for security purposes after withdrawal, she responded, “My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question.”

After her testimony, the EFCC called its fourth witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank. Akoni confirmed holding a 13-page document and detailed several cash deposits, including ₦3 million by Moses Wanzu, ₦15 million by Abdulwahab Sabo, and ₦20 million by Shehu Bello — totalling about ₦57 million.

She also explained how she identified the bank branch through the first three digits of the account number.

Under cross-examination by Daudu, Akoni admitted she did not know the first defendant (Bello) or the third defendant (Oricha), nor did she know the sources or purposes of the funds.

The prosecution later called its fifth witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, a Compliance Officer with Polaris Bank.

Earlier, Daudu had urged the court to hear a pending application challenging its jurisdiction, arguing that continuing the trial would waste time if the court lacked jurisdiction.

Prosecuting counsel, Pinheiro, objected, saying the motion was not ripe for hearing and proposed November 12 for its consideration.

Justice Anenih adjourned the case to October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.