A compliance officer with United Bank for Africa, Abimbola Williams, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama that a staggering N640 million was withdrawn from the Kogi State Government House account over a six-day period in 2019.
Williams, who appeared as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, disclosed that the withdrawals were made via 64 separate cheques of N10 million each, all signed by the then Chief Accountant of the Government House, Abdulsalami Hudu.
“Between July 31 and August 6, 2019, the total amount of cash withdrawal made in six days by the third defendant was 64 transactions of N10 million each, which is a total withdrawal of N640 million,” Williams told the court.
Bello, Hudu, and Shaibu Oricha, Director-General of the Kogi Government House Administration, are currently facing trial before Justice Maryanne Anenih over an alleged N110.4 billion fraud brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
During examination by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Williams confirmed that she had observed “serial transactions involving Abdulsalami Hudu.”
“Yes, my Lord,” she replied when asked if the transactions were consistent.
Williams, who has worked with UBA for 19 years, clarified that although she serves as a Compliance Officer, she is not the Relationship Manager or Account Officer responsible for the daily operations of the account.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN), Williams admitted that she had previously given similar testimony before the Federal High Court in a related suit marked HC/ABJ/CR/98/2024.
She explained that while transfers require banks to request the purpose and relationship of high-volume transactions, cash withdrawals do not fall under the same scrutiny.
“The bank does not ask for the purpose of cash withdrawals. We are not internal auditors of the customer,” she said.
Williams also confirmed that a customer could withdraw any amount, provided the mandate was valid.
She told the court that she reported for duty that morning at UBA’s Wuse 2 branch in Abuja, saying, “As a Compliance Officer, my Lord, I am actually allowed to work in any of the branches, so I can change anytime. Today, I reported to 18, Adetokunbo Ademola, Wuse 2, Abuja.”
The witness acknowledged a credit entry of N100 million labelled “Governor’s Security Fund,” paid in two tranches of N50 million each. However, when asked whether the funds were used for security purposes, she replied, “My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question.”
She listed the authorised signatories on the account as of 2004 to include Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalami Hudu (Accountant). She also referenced a 2008 letter bearing signatures of Elder P.S. Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar (Chief Accountant), and Hudu (Senior Accountant).
Following Williams’ testimony, the EFCC called its fourth witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank. Akoni presented a 13-page document detailing account activities, including cash deposits of N3 million by Moses Wanzu, N15 million by Abdulwahab Sabo, and N20 million by Shehu Bello totalling N57 million.
Under cross-examination, Akoni admitted not knowing the first defendant (Bello) or third defendant (Oricha), nor the source or purpose of the funds.
The fifth witness, Victoria Oluwafemi from Polaris Bank, also appeared before the court.
Earlier, Daudu informed the court of an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction and urged Justice Anenih to prioritise the matter.
“I urge your Lordship to give us a date. Let’s deal with the issue of jurisdiction,” he submitted.
Pinheiro opposed the motion, arguing that it was not ripe for hearing and should be deferred until November 12.
“We have been here for over one year and now you are raising the issue of jurisdiction,” Pinheiro said.
Daudu responded, “We can raise it anytime.”
Justice Anenih adjourned the matter
to October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.
