Yahaya Bello Trial: N640m Withdrawn in Six Days from Kogi Government Account!

In a significant development at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, a United Bank for Africa (UBA) Compliance Officer, Abimbola Williams, testified that N640 million was withdrawn from the Kogi State Government account within a span of six days in 2019. The withdrawals were executed through 64 separate cheques, each amounting to N10 million, by Abdulsalami Hudu, the former Chief Accountant at the Kogi State Government House.

Williams, who has been a UBA staff member for 19 years, narrated that these transactions took place between July 31 and August 6, 2019. The witness appeared as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alongside Umar Oricha, the Director-General of the Kogi Government House Administration, and Abdulsalami Hudu, who all face allegations of fraud totaling N110.4 billion brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Under examination, Williams confirmed the consistency and serial nature of the cash withdrawals in question. She explained that all transactions were within the bank’s regulations, with none exceeding the threshold of N10 million per withdrawal. She detailed that as a Compliance Officer, while she oversees adherence to banking rules, she is not responsible for daily account management or auditing the purpose of client withdrawals.

During cross-examination by the defense counsel, Williams admitted that the bank does not typically inquire about the purpose of cash withdrawals but may request such information during transfer transactions, especially for large amounts. She further stated that the withdrawal mandates were properly executed and that the bank did not breach any regulation in allowing the transactions.

The defense also asked the witness whether the withdrawn funds were used for security purposes, referencing credit entries labeled as Governor’s Security Fund, but Williams stated she was not privy to the use of the funds and could not categorically confirm their end-use.

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The trial, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, continues with further witnesses scheduled to testify, including officials from Ecobank and Polaris Bank. The court had earlier adjourned the proceedings to October 9, 2025, following objections and procedural submissions on jurisdiction by the defense.

This case forms part of a larger EFCC investigation into alleged financial misappropriation within the Kogi State Government during Bello’s tenure, spotlighting more than N110 billion in alleged fraudulent transactions.