A compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Abimbola Williams, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama that a total of ₦640 million was withdrawn from the Kogi State Government House account within just six days in 2019.
Testifying as the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the ongoing corruption trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Williams revealed that the withdrawals were made via 64 separate cheques of ₦10 million each, issued between 31 July and 6 August 2019 by Abdulsalami Hudu, the then Chief Accountant of the Government House.
Bello, Hudu, and the Director-General of the Kogi Government House Administration, Shaibu Oricha, are facing trial over an alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud, in a case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Details from the testimony
Under examination by EFCC lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Williams confirmed that:
“Between July 31 and August 6, 2019, the total amount of cash withdrawals made by the third defendant was 64 transactions of ₦10 million each, totalling ₦640 million.”
Williams, who has worked with UBA for 19 years, affirmed the transactions were all linked to Hudu. She clarified that while she is the bank’s compliance officer, she was not the relationship or account manager responsible for the daily operations of the account.
During cross-examination by Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel for Bello, she acknowledged that customers are permitted to withdraw large sums if their mandates are valid and that cash withdrawals are not subjected to the same scrutiny as bank transfers.
Williams also told the court that she could not confirm the purpose of the withdrawals, admitting that banks do not ask for reasons for cash withdrawals, unlike electronic transfers where the purpose is often stated.
When shown a credit entry of ₦100 million into the Kogi Government House account, labelled “Governor’s Security Fund”, she admitted under oath that she could not determine whether the funds were used for security purposes.
She further confirmed that authorised signatories on the account as of 2004 included Christopher Enefola, Onekutu Daniel, and Abdulsalami Hudu, with updates made via letters dating back to 2008.
Other witnesses take the stand
Following Williams’ testimony, the EFCC called its 4th witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank, who presented a 13-page bank statement showing multiple cash deposits totalling around ₦57 million.
However, defence counsel A.M. Aliyu objected to the admissibility of the document, citing non-compliance with the Evidence Act. Under cross-examination, Akoni admitted she did not know the defendants or the origin or purpose of the funds involved.
The prosecution then introduced its 5th witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, a compliance officer from Polaris Bank.
Jurisdiction challenge emerges
Earlier, Joseph Daudu (SAN) raised an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction, urging the court to consider it before proceeding further with witness testimonies. He argued that ruling on the jurisdiction now would prevent time wastage.
However, EFCC counsel Pinheiro disagreed, stating the application was not ripe for hearing and proposed 12 November 2025 as a suitable date to address it.
“We’ve been here for over a year, and now you’re raising the issue of jurisdiction,” Pinheiro said.
Daudu replied, “We can raise it anytime.”
In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned the matter to 9 October 2025 for continuation of the trial.
Background
The EFCC alleges that Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants misappropriated over ₦110 billion while he was Governor of Kogi State. The current proceedings aim to establish a trail of transactions and determine the legality and purpose behind the massive withdrawals and deposits made under Bello’s administration.
The trial continues.
