The Federal Excessive Courtroom, in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned the alleged cash laundering case instituted by the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) towards the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to Friday, March 7, 2025, for continuation of trial.
When the matter was known as on Thursday, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, known as its witness on subpoena, Williams Abimbola.
Abimbola, a Compliance Officer with the United {Bank} for Africa Plc, confirmed to the court docket {that a} additional subpoena was served on the {bank}.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena and marked it ‘Exhibit 7’.
The suboeana, in keeping with the prosecution, requested for the manufacturing of the assertion of account of 1 Maselina Njoku, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020.
The witness confirmed that it was the request from the {bank} and added {that a} certificates of compliance was additionally issued.
The witness confirmed 10 withdrawals in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu, within the sum of N10 million every on December 12, 2018. She mentioned the withdrawals have been completed with cheques and introduced throughout the counter.
The witness, nonetheless, confirmed, throughout cross-examination, that the previous governor’s identify didn’t function within the opening and administration of the mentioned Kogi Authorities Home {Bank account}.
She additionally famous that she was not the accounts officer of the Kogi Authorities Home account and that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, Kogi State, and never Space 3, Abuja, the place she works.
On cross-examination, the Protection Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, requested the witness that, as a compliance officer, does her responsibility contain defending the integrity of the {bank} from authorized penalty, reputational injury and {financial} losses? “Sure,” she responded.
The witness was additionally requested to call the three signatories on the account, which she did.
For Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, who was Everlasting Secretary, she mentioned, “We solely have his image on this way.”
Daudu, SAN requested, “Now, in each the account opening paperwork and the assertion of account from E1 to E72, does the identify ‘Yahaya Bello’ seem wherever?”
“No, the identify Yahaya Bello doesn’t function,” the witness responded.
The Defendant’s lawyer once more requested, “Please have a look at Exhibit 2P1-3P62. Does the identify ‘Yahaya Bello’ seem wherever within the doc?”
“My Lord, the identify Yahaya Bello doesn’t function on the displays,” the witness answered.
Daudu SAN due to this fact closed his cross-examination.
The EFCC Counsel, moved to re-examine the witness. Daudu, SAN objected, however the choose allowed him after a quick argument.
Pinheiro SAN then requested the witness if she was aware of the signature on the doc.
She mentioned she signed on behalf of 1 Edward Bananga.
However the Defendant’s Counsel once more objected and moved to cross-examine the witness.
“My Lord, the witness initially disowned the signature, however beneath re-examination, the prosecution led her to confess it. Due to this fact, I’ve the suitable to problem that admission and show that her declare relating to the signature is wrong,” he mentioned.
“Cross examination is supposed to show the accuracy or veracity of the witness. I’m entitled to disprove what she mentioned. That is within the curiosity of justice,” Daudu SAN added.
He then requested the witness to learn the doc.
Studying from the doc, she mentioned, “I Edward Bananga hereby licensed and confirmed that……”
“I put it to you that You aren’t Edward Bananga,” the Defendant’s Counsel mentioned.
“I’m not Edward Bananga, my Lord,” the witness answered.
One other witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American Worldwide School, was introduced by the prosecution.
The displays tendered included the varsity’s statements of account, admission letters of the youngsters of the defendant and fee receipts. The witness confirmed the totally different courses the youngsters have been admitted into.
Exhibit 12P was additionally tendered, which was a contractual settlement for post-paid college charges for the youngsters.
The Prosecution introduced a letter from the EFCC to AIS, Abuja, via the Registrar. It was marked Exhibit 18 and an account supplied by the EFCC for a refund.
The court docket, thereafter, adjourned to tomorrow, March 7, at 10am, for continuation of trial.
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