A prosecution witness in the trial of Ali Bello, nephew of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and two others who are standing trial in a N10 billion money laundering case, on Thursday, told Justice James Omotsho, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that huge funds were transferred in tranches from the accounts of Kogi State government and that of the State’s Government House administration account in suspicious transactions.
The defendants are being prosecuted on 10-count charges bordering on misappropriation and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The witness, Bananda Edward, a Compliance Officer with United Bank of Africa, UBA, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN), presented a statement of account generated from UBA in respect of transactions in the state government and State Government House’s administration accounts.
Responding, Oyedepo prayed the court to discountenance the arguments of the defence counsels, arguing that the documents are original and genuine in the form they appear.
Justice Omotosho ruled in favour of the prosecution and admitted the documents in evidence.
The witness also examined Exhibit-E, which contained transactions on December 28, 2022, where he revealed that there were cheque withdrawals of N10 million each in four places in favour of one Alhassan Onakaji.
“On January 3, 2023, there was an inflow of N100 million, and on January 4, 2023 there were withdrawals from the same account of N10 million each in nine withdrawals. There were further cheque withdrawals of N10 million each, in favour of AbdulSalam Kudu.
“On January 11, 2023, there was an inflow of N100 million into the account, and on January 24, 2023, there was also an inflow of N100 million into the account. On February 22, 2023, there were inflows of N24, 928,195.26 and N50 million. On February 6, 2023, there were inflows of N29,800,000, N16,740,000, N35,440,000, N22,700,000, N151,135,000.
“On February 6, 2023, there were also cash transfers in favour of Hussein Yusuf to the sum of N500,000.00; N300,000 in favour of Salaudin AbdulRazaq; N500,000,00 in favour of Sule Ojo; N500,000,00 in favour of Shuab AbdulRasheed; N300,000.00 in favour Abubakar Magaji, N500,000.00 in favour of AbdulKarim AbdulRahman; N1,300,000 in favour of Chrisenbirth Investment Ltd and N1,000,000 twice in favour of Peter Oha”, said the EFCC statement.
Justice Omotoso, after listening to the submissions of the witness, adjourned the matter till February 5 and 6 for continuation of the hearing.
Ali and Yahaya Bello and two others are standing trial in a N10 billion money laundering case. They were arraigned on December 15, 2022, on 10-count charges bordering on misappropriation and money laundering.
