Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the third prosecution witness (PW3) in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, detailed before Justice Maryanne Anineh at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama how funds were allegedly siphoned from the Kogi State government’s account through large cash withdrawals.
Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces a 16-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
Led by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Williams testified that between December 2018 and August 2019, multiple cheque withdrawals were made in favor of Abdulsalam Gudu.
She outlined transactions including N100 million across 10 withdrawals of N10 million each on December 12, 2018; N29.9 million in four withdrawals on January 4, 2019; N20 million in three withdrawals on January 8, 2019; and additional withdrawals of N50 million to N100 million on various dates through May 2019.
She highlighted 64 transactions totaling N640 million between July 31 and August 6, 2019, all documented in 251 pages of UBA bank statements.
The fourth prosecution witness, Jesutomi Akonni, a compliance officer with Ecobank, testified about transactions in Moses Wanzo’s account, including cash deposits of N15 million by Abdulwahab Sabo on February 22, 2016, and N39 million by Shehu Bello in March 2016, as recorded in Exhibit H.
Defence counsel J.B. Dauda (SAN) raised a jurisdictional challenge, referencing a pending application filed on September 26, 2025, arguing it should be resolved before proceeding.
Pinheiro dismissed the move as a delay tactic, noting the case had been ongoing for a year. The trial continues on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
