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Alleged fraud: Yahaya Bello’s name not in Kogi Govt House’s bank account – witness
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday heard that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was not involved in the operation of the state’s Government House’s bank account domiciled at a commercial bank.
A Compliant Officer with the bank, Mrs. Abimbola Williams, stated this while testifying as the second prosecution witness in the alleged N80.2 billion money laundering trial of the ex-CBN governor.
Mrs. Williams, who was cross-examined by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), said the forme governor’s name did not feature in all the withdrawals made from the account 1003889575 domiciled in the Lokoja, Kogi State capital, branch of the bank while the defendant was in office.
She added that Bello’s name also did not reflect in the account opening documents and the statements 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.
Mrs. Williams identified the three signatories to the account, including that of Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, said to be 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 and not in Area 3 of Abuja, where she works.
Led in evidence by the prosecuting lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Mrs. Williams identified series of withdrawals from the account through cheques.
The witness named Abdulsalami Hudu as the person handling fund withdrawals on behalf of the Kogi Government House.
She recalled that on December 12, 2018, 10 transactions were carried out on the account with N10 million withdraw in each transaction.
Mrs. Williams 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 mainly to two beneficiary – Abdul Salam Hudu and Aminu J. O.
According to her, the withdrawals were done by cheques and in tranches, with each maximum withdrawal pegged at N10 million.
Mrs. Williams explained that the cheques were presented across the counter and that the money was paid in cash or deposited into a beneficiary’s account.
The witness averred that it 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 an arrangement for the payment of the fees of “future children”.
The prosecution tendered through Ohehomon some documents on Bello’s children’s studentship in the school, including admission letters and the receipts of the fees paid by the defendant.
The witness, who also tendered the school’s statements of account, announced 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 today.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Another tanker explosion in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, has left seven people dead and one critically injured.
The incident occurred on the evening of March 4, 2025, when a fuel-laden tanker lost control while navigating a deteriorated road, ultimately overturning and spilling its highly flammable Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into a nearby stream.
The contaminated stream, a crucial water source for dry-season farmers, became the ignition point of disaster when the spilled fuel made contact with an active water pump.
The spark from the pump triggered a ferocious fire, which rapidly spread through the waterway, leading back to the overturned tanker and causing a massive explosion.
The raging flames engulfed nearby rice fields and fruit plantations, trapping several farmers working in their fields.
By the time emergency responders arrived, seven lives had already been lost. The victims were identified as Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A. Nura.
One survivor, Maimuna Isah, sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Saho Rami Primary Health Care Center.
Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, attributed the disaster to the poor state of rural roads, which forced the tanker driver into a dangerous maneuver, resulting in the fuel spill and subsequent explosion.
Local authorities and emergency teams have since been deployed to assess the damage and support affected families.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored late in the second half to earn Nottingham Forest a crucial Premier League victory over fellow Champions League hopefuls Manchester City at the City Ground.
With seven minutes of an otherwise uneventful contest remaining, Hudson-Odoi collected a magnificent Morgan Gibbs-White pass in his stride before beating City goalkeeper Ederson at his near post to send the home fans into ecstasy.
In a game billed as crucial in the race to earn a spot in Europe’s premier club competition next season, City had the better opportunities before the interval but lacked the pace or ingenuity to breach the home side’s dogged defence.
A powerful Nico Gonzalez effort which flew narrowly wide of Matz Sels’ right-hand post was the high point of a drab first half, and there were few signs of improvement early in the second period despite Forest’s greater urgency.
After Nico Dominguez volleyed an Anthony Elanga cross straight at Ederson within seconds of the restart, Hudson-Odoi had a low effort tipped on to the post by the Brazilian midway through the second half.
Pep Guardiola introduced Kevin de Bruyne and Omar Marmoush with 20 minutes remaining but there was little in the way of goalmouth action in the latter stages until Hudson-Odoi’s moment of inspiration.
Guardiola and his players can have few complaints with the outcome as they slipped to a ninth league defeat of a tumultuous season – their joint-most in a single campaign under the Spaniard.
Third-placed Forest move four points clear of City, who stay fourth but could be overtaken by Chelsea if the Blues beat struggling Leicester City on Sunday.
(BBC)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
US President Donald Trump’s prized Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been vandalised by protesters who sprayed “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in huge white letters on the lawn.
The activists also damaged greens and sprayed blood-red paint over the luxury resort’s clubhouse overnight on Saturday.
The Palestine Action group said it was a “direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza”.
Trump sparked outrage last month when he suggested the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to relocate to Egypt or Jordan.
The activists cited an AI-generated video the US president shared online last week, which showed the razed Palestinian territory rebuilt as a Trump-branded seaside resort.
One scene showed Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sipping cocktails in swimsuits by a pool.
Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach,” Palestine Action said on social media.
Police Scotland told AFP it was investigating after receiving a report of damage at around 0440 GMT on Saturday.
Last week, the United States said it had approved the sale of more than $3 billion in munitions, bulldozers and related equipment to Israel, which has used American-made weapons to devastating effect in Gaza.
The Turnberry property in southwest Scotland is one of two resorts that Trump owns in the country, his mother’s ancestral home.
A spokesman for Trump Turnberry said: “This was a childish, criminal act but the incredible team at Trump Turnberry will ensure it does not impact business.
“Turnberry is a national treasure and will continue to be the number one beacon of luxury and excellence in the world of golf.”
AFP
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