News
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
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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