‘I was never accounts officer for Kogi Govt House account’, EFCC witness tells court

Court

By JUMOKE SANNI

…’Abdulsalam Hudu authorised to operate account’

The Sixth Prosecution Witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, on Thursday, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that he was never the account officer of Kogi State Government House Administration Account.

He admitted that the account was domiciled in the bank’s Lokoja branch, noting that he never worked there.

The witness, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, offered the explanations before Justice Maryann Anenih while being cross-examined by Joseph Daudu, SAN, Counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the ongoing alleged money laundering trial.

He also admitted that he was not the maker of the Exhibits tendered in court by the EFCC.

The witness, however, noted that Abdulsalam Hudu, whose name appeared on multiple transactions in the Exhibits tendered was duly authorised to operate the Kogi State Government House Administration account.

He said Hudu’s name appeared on the mandate as a signatory to the account.

“Am I correct to say that, in your bank, every account usually has a branch manager and a relationship manager?” the Defence Counsel asked.