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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.
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Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
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