Alleged Fraud: Yahaya Bello’s name not on bank account transaction documents, EFCC witness says
Abimbola Williams, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, told the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday that former Governor Yahaya Bello’s name was not featured on the Kogi Government House Bank account.
Ms Williams, the second prosecution witness (PW-2) in the money laundering trial, said this during a cross-examination by the former governor’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
She also said she was not the United Bank for Africa (UBA)’s account officer for the government house account.
During the hearing, the counsel for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), told the court that Ms Williams, a compliant officer with UBA, confirmed to the court that a further subpoena was served on the bank.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena in evidence and marked it ‘Exhibit 7’ after Ms Daudu did not oppose Ms Pinhero’s application to tender the document.
The subpoena, according to the prosecution, requested the production of the account statements of Maselina Njoku: 216033694, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. The exhibit includes the account opening package for the Government House Administration in Lokoja.
The witness confirmed that it was the request from the bank, adding that a certificate of compliance was also issued.
While being led in evidence by Ms Pinherio, Ms Williams confirmed 10 withdrawals in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu, in the sum of N10 million each, on December 12, 2018.
She said the withdrawals were done with cheques and presented across the counter.
The PW-2, however, confirmed during cross-examination by Mr Daudu that the former governor’s name was not featured in the opening and management of the said Kogi Government House Bank account.
She also agreed that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, the state’s capital, and not Area 3, Abuja, where she works.
Ms Williams agreed that as a compliant officer, her duty involves protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalties, reputational damage and financial losses.
The witness mentioned the names of the three signatories on the account, including Yakubu Ismail, who was said to be a permanent secretary.
“Now, in both the account opening documents and the statements of account from Exhibits ‘E1 to E72,’ does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere?” the senior lawyer asked Ms Williams.
“No, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature,” the witness responded.
Mr Daudu again asked, “Please look at Exhibits 2P1 to 2P62. Does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere in the document?”
“My Lord, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature on the exhibits,” the witness answered.
Ms Pinhero, however, moved to re-examine the witness, but Mr Daudu objected.
After a brief argument, Justice Nwite directed Ms Pinhero to go on with the re-examination.
The EFCC’s lawyer then asked the witness if she was familiar with the signature on the document that contained Edward Banana, and she responded in the affirmative, saying she signed the documents on his behalf.
Responding, Mr Daudu also applied to cross-examine the witness, but Ms Pinhero disagreed.
“My Lord, the witness initially disowned the signature, but under re-examination, the prosecution led her to admit it. Therefore, I have the right to challenge that admission and prove that her claim regarding the signature is incorrect,” Mr Daudu told the court.
According to him, cross-examination is meant to prove the accuracy or veracity of the witness.
“I am entitled to disprove what she said. This is in the interest of justice,” Mr Daudu added, and the judge allowed his argument.
The defence lawyer then asked the witness to read the document in dispute.
The prosecution also called another witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School (AIS), as the third prosecution witness (PW-3).
He was also led in evidence by Ms Pinherio, the anti-graft agency’s lawyer.
The 11 exhibits tendered included the receipt of payment of certification, certificate of identification, five admission letters, agreement for prepaid school fees until graduation, copies of payments, email correspondences between Mr Bello and the American International School, school receipts, confirmation of the names of the defendant’s children, statement of accounts in TD Bank, U.S., belonging to American International School, letter from American International School requesting for account details from EFCC for refund and letter from EFCC to the American International School forwarding the account details.
The witness confirmed the different classes the children were admitted into.
Exhibit 12P was also tendered, which was a contractual agreement for post-paid school fees for the children.
The prosecution tendered a letter from the EFCC to AIS, Abuja, through the court registrar.
The court marked it as Exhibit 18 and an account provided by the EFCC for a refund.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until March 7 for continuation of trial.
(NAN)
