EFCC Witness Details multiple N10 Million Withdrawals In Yahaya Fraud Trial

The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello resumed on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting more evidence in its ongoing ₦110 billion fraud case.

Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2024, is standing trial alongside two former state officials, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The trio faces a 16-count charge filed by the EFCC, alleging money laundering and large-scale diversion of public funds.

During the session, the third prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), gave detailed testimony on financial transactions linked to the Kogi State Government House account. She confirmed that one of the defendants, Abdulsalami Hudu, made several cash withdrawals of ₦10 million each between July 31 and August 6, 2019.

Abimbola told the court that all transactions followed standard banking procedures and that no rules were violated by the bank. She clarified that banks usually request explanations for large electronic transfers but do not inquire about the purpose of cash withdrawals. She added that her duty was to maintain the bank’s compliance and reputation, not to audit clients’ transactions.

When shown bank statements during cross-examination, Abimbola identified the narration on the credit entries as “governor’s security fund,” which included ₦100 million credited in two tranches. However, she said she could not confirm whether the withdrawn funds were used for security purposes, noting she was not privy to their ultimate use.

The witness also stated that she had never personally met Bello or the co-defendants and had no direct dealings with them. She stressed that every withdrawal complied with the account’s mandate and fell within the limit permitted under banking laws.

Earlier in the case, another witness, Mashelia Arhyel Dada, a compliance officer from Zenith Bank, had testified before the same court about a separate series of withdrawals totaling over ₦1.09 billion from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account within three days. The witness said the transactions appeared to violate the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy.

The EFCC maintains that these transactions are part of a broader pattern of financial irregularities allegedly committed under Bello’s administration. The case, which has attracted wide public attention, is expected to continue as the prosecution presents more witnesses and evidence to establish its claims.