Yahaya Bello’s Trial: Witness Explains ₦1.425bn Transfers Linked To Ex-Governor’s Associate ‎

‎An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that ₦1.425 billion transferred through two companies linked to Abba Adaudu, an associate of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, was meant for foreign exchange transactions.

The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a forex dealer, gave the explanation on Thursday while testifying as the 19th prosecution witness in Bello’s ongoing trial before Justice M. E. Anenih, Naija News reports.

‎Abdullahi told the court that the money was paid by Adaudu for the purchase of foreign currency, adding that he supplied the equivalent amount in US dollars based on the prevailing market rate.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.

‎The defendants have not been convicted, and the allegations remain before the court.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, alongside Olukayode Enitan, SAN, and Bolu Agbaje, SAN, the witness identified Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited as companies belonging to Adaudu.

‎He told the court that ₦100 million was transferred through Keyless Nature Limited on December 15, 2021, while further transfers totalling ₦400 million were made through the same company on December 17, 2021.

‎Abdullahi also identified transfers totalling ₦600 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022, and another ₦325 million through the company on February 21, 2022.

He said the transactions between December 2021 and February 2022 amounted to ₦1.425 billion.

‎According to him, whenever the money was paid into his accounts through cash deposits or electronic transfers, he supplied Adaudu with the equivalent amount in US dollars.

He added that the exchange usually took place at either his office or Adaudu’s office.

The witness further explained that Adaudu usually contacted him before or after making cash deposits to inform him that the money was for forex transactions.

‎Abdullahi also spoke about the bank accounts of E-Traders Limited, one of his companies. He identified Exhibit AR as the company’s statement of account with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mararaba branch.

‎The witness told the court that cash deposits made into the account at the Lokoja branch of Access Bank between July 2021 and April 2022 were connected to Adaudu.

He explained that although some transaction descriptions carried his name, he did not personally make the deposits because he had never visited the Access Bank branch in Lokoja.

‎He gave the same explanation for deposits dated February 22 and transactions recorded on March 10 and 11, 2022.

Abdullahi also identified Exhibit AK, another account statement, and said several cash deposits made on December 29 and 30, 2021, as well as January 31 and February 1, 2022, were made by Adaudu or people acting on his behalf.

He maintained that the deposits were linked to forex dealings.

Witness Makes Fresh Admission During Cross-Examination

‎However, during cross-examination, Abdullahi admitted that he could not confirm whether any of the defendants made the cash deposits because he was not present at the bank when the transactions took place.

He also told the court that the names of the first and second defendants did not appear in E-Traders Limited’s account statement as depositors.

The witness confirmed that he was the sole signatory to the account.

‎He maintained that the transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited were forex dealings linked to Adaudu.

‎Although he could not remember the total amount of foreign currency he supplied to Adaudu, Abdullahi said he usually provided the equivalent value of the transactions, either in cash or, on some occasions, through bank transfers.

‎He added that cash payments were made in foreign currency.

‎The forex dealer also testified about payments made towards the school fees of children attending the American International School.

‎He told the court that Adaudu provided the account details and names of the beneficiaries for the payments.

‎The beneficiaries were identified as Fatima Bello, Zarrah Bello, Zayan Bello, Farid Bello and Na’ima Bello.

‎Abdullahi said he arranged the payments through his colleagues rather than making them directly.

‎He added that neither Adaudu nor the children’s parents complained about the transactions.

‎The witness identified Exhibit AX10(1–4) as telex documents issued by the American International School in connection with the payments.

‎According to him, he forwarded the documents to Adaudu for confirmation after the transactions had been completed.

‎During cross-examination, Abdullahi admitted that he did not know the parents of the children whose school fees he helped to pay.

‎He also confirmed that he did not personally make the payments but relied on colleagues to carry out the transactions. ‎The witness further disclosed that he operated another company known as De Remita.

‎He told the court that his statements to the EFCC in 2022 contained details and illustrations of the transactions with Adaudu that he could remember at the time.

‎He also confirmed that he had not made any further statement to the commission since then.

‎Earlier, a lawyer informed the court that an application had been filed seeking the withdrawal of the surety of the third defendant. ‎The lawyer said all parties had been served with the application, but it was not yet ready for hearing.

Counsel for the third defendant confirmed receiving the application and asked for time to prepare a response. ‎Pinheiro suggested that the application be heard on the next adjourned date to avoid disrupting the ongoing trial.

‎The court then proceeded with the hearing.

‎However, after defence counsel indicated that the witness was tired, Justice Anenih adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

‎Bello and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.

The court is yet to determine the allegations against them.