Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has postponed the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in an alleged money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The hearing will continue on March 7.
At Thursday’s session, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), called Williams Abimbola, a Compliance Officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA), as a witness under subpoena. Abimbola confirmed that the bank had received an additional subpoena requesting the statement of account for one Maselina Njoku from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020.
Justice Nwite admitted the subpoena as evidence, marking it Exhibit 7.
Abimbola testified that ten withdrawals of ₦10 million each were made in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018, using cheques presented at the bank counter. However, under cross-examination, she admitted that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in the account’s records. She also clarified that she was not the account officer for the Kogi Government House account, which was domiciled in Lokoja, not Abuja, where she is based.
Defense counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) questioned the witness about her role as a compliance officer, asking whether her duties included protecting the bank from legal, reputational, and financial risks. She agreed.
When asked if Yahaya Bello’s name appeared anywhere in the account opening documents or transaction records, Abimbola responded, “No.”
The defense then closed its cross-examination, but EFCC’s counsel sought to re-examine the witness, which led to a brief courtroom debate. Justice Nwite allowed the re-examination, during which the witness claimed she signed a document on behalf of one Edward Bananga. However, when challenged, she admitted, “I am not Edward Bananga, my lord.”
The EFCC also presented another witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School (AIS). He provided admission letters, payment receipts, and statements of account related to the defendant’s children. The prosecution introduced Exhibit 12P, a contractual agreement for post-paid school fees, and Exhibit 18, a letter from the EFCC to AIS requesting a refund to an EFCC-designated account.
Following the testimonies, the court adjourned the trial to March 7 at 10 a.m. for further proceedings.
