*Says ex-governor paid children’s ‘s school fees in advance
A Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday that a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was not involved in the operation of the Kogi State House’s bank account in the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
A Compliant Officer with UBA, Mrs Abimbola Williams said this while testifying as the second prosecution witness in the alleged N80.2b money laundering trial of the ex-governor.
Mrs. Williams, while being cross-examined by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) said Bello’s name did not feature in all the withdrawals made from the account, numbered: 1003889575 domiciled in UBA in Lokoja, Kogi State while the defendant was in office.
She added that Bello’s name also did not reflect in the account opening documents and the statement of account, which were later tended in court.
The witness said as a Compliance Officer, her duties include protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses.
She identified the three signatories to the account, which included Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, who was a Permanent Secretary.
The witness said she was not the Accounts Officer in charge of the Kogi Government House’s account and that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, Kogi State, and not in Area 3, Abuja, where she works
Earlier, while being led in evidence by the prosecuting lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) the witness identified series of withdrawals made on the account through cheques.
The witness identified one Abdulsalami Hudu as the person, who was handling fund withdrawals on behalf of the Kogi Government House.
Stated that on December 12, 2018 10 transactions were carried out in the account with N10million withdraw in each transaction.
She said the 10 transactions had the same narration – cheque withdrawal in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu.
Still reading from the account statement, the witness said it was evident in the statement that withdrawals from the account went majorly to two beneficiary – Abdul Salam Hudu and Aminu J. O.
She said the withdrawals were done with cheques and in tranches, with each maximum withdrawal pegged at N10 million.
The witness added that the cheques were presented across the counter and the money with paid in cash or deposited into a beneficiary’s account, adding that from the marathon, is was not specific if the withdrawals were in cash.
The third prosecution witness,
Nicholas Ohehomon, who described himself as an Internal Auditor in the American International School, said Bello had an agreement with the school to pay upfront, the school fees of his five children for all the years they were to spend in the school.
Ohehomon added that there was also and arrangement for the payment of the fees of “future children.”
The prosecution tendered through Ohehomon documents relating to Bello’s children’s studentship in the school, including admission letters and fees payment receipts.
The witness, who also the school’s statements of account, stated the different classes the children were admitted into.
A copy of the contractual agreement between the defendant and the school for upfront payment of school fees for his children was also tendered.
The trial continues tomorrow (Friday).
