An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mrs. Abimbola Williams, testified at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, stating that former Governor Yahaya Bello’s name was not listed in the account opening documents of the Government House Administration in Lokoja.
Williams appeared as a subpoenaed witness for the EFCC in its N80 billion money laundering case against the former governor.
As reported by Abuja Today News, Segun J. Adeleke, General Manager of EFAB Properties Limited, testified the previous Monday that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in the documentation for two properties valued at approximately N550 million, which were acquired from the company.
Bello pleaded not guilty before Justice Emeka Nwite after being arraigned by the EFCC. The former governor and others are accused of conspiring in February 2016 to divert N80.2 billion obtained through an alleged breach of trust, an offense under Section 18(a) and punishable by Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
Court Proceedings
During Thursday’s session, Williams, under the guidance of EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), stated that 10 withdrawals of N10 million each were made from the government account in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018. She confirmed that these transactions were processed using cheques presented over the counter.
She explained that the subpoena required her to provide the statement of account for Macelina Njoku, covering the period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, along with the account opening documents for the Government House Administration, Lokoja. The EFCC submitted these as evidence, which Justice Emeka Nwite accepted as exhibits.
During cross-examination by Bello’s lawyer, Joshua Daudu (SAN), Williams affirmed that the former governor’s name did not appear in either the account opening documents or transaction records. She also clarified that the account was based in Lokoja, while she worked in Area 3, Abuja. Additionally, she acknowledged that a compliance officer is responsible for ensuring the bank adheres to legal requirements and avoids reputational and financial risks.
She further stated that three individuals were signatories to the account, including Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, a permanent secretary in the state.
Daudu then asked, “In both the account opening documents and the statements of account from Exhibits ‘E1 to E72,’ does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere?”
Williams responded, “No, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature.”
Following her testimony, the EFCC called its next witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School (AIS).
Ohehomon, through Pinheiro, presented evidence including the school’s statements of account, admission letters for the ex-governor’s children, and payment receipts. He confirmed that the children were enrolled in various grades and that there was a contractual agreement for post-paid school fees until their graduation.
These documents, along with account details provided by the EFCC for the refund of the fees, were admitted as evidence.
Justice Nwite then adjourned the trial to March 7 for further proceedings.
Key Takeaways
According to Abuja Today News, the EFCC and other security agencies had previously declared Bello wanted, citing difficulties in locating and arresting him. The EFCC later accused the Kogi State government of using its “immunity” to shield Bello.
Eventually, the EFCC arrested Bello and filed another fraud case against him at the FCT High Court. Both cases remain ongoing.
