A prosecution witness in the continuing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has defined that transactions amounting to ₦1.425bn have been carried out for the acquisition of foreign currency echange in two months.
The witness, a Bureau De Change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, informed the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday that the transactions have been between December 15 and February 21, 2022.
Abdullahi, who testified as nineteenth Prosecution Witness (PW19) defined that he delivered the foreign currency echange bought via the transactions to 1 Abba Adaudu.
Daily Trust reviews that Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The trio are being prosecuted on a 16-count cost bordering on prison breach of belief and cash laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
The witness, whereas testifying earlier than Justice Maryanne Anineh whereas being led in proof by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, the witness recognized a number of money lodgments and transfers into accounts related to him and his firm.
He acknowledged that the transactions have been carried out for overseas change functions on behalf of Adaudu.
While inspecting Exhibit AR, which contained transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed money lodgments of ₦10 million every made by Adaudu via the Lokoja department.
“My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of Ten million Naira by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” he mentioned.
He defined that the transactions have been for the acquisition of United States {dollars}.
The witness additionally recognized a switch dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he mentioned belonged to Adaudu.
He maintained that the transaction was not a present however was equally meant for overseas change.
On money lodgments dated February 22, 2022, comprising ₦9 million, ₦8 million and one other ₦8 million, which have been recorded in his identify via the Lokoja department, Abdullahi denied personally making the deposits.
“In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary as any other person’s name can be used as the receiver, and it was a dollar transaction for Abba Adaudu,” he mentioned.
He gave an identical rationalization for a number of money lodgments recorded in opposition to his identify on March 10 and 11, 2022, insisting that he had by no means visited the Lokoja department.
According to him, the names used in the transaction narrations relied on Adaudu’s directions.
(*2*) the witness mentioned.
He added that the transactions have been carried out for overseas change functions and that he constantly handed the transformed currencies to Adaudu.
“My lord, I always send the converted forex to Abba Adaudu. All the transactions at the Lokoja were from Abba Adaudu,” he mentioned.
Abdullahi additionally recognized Exhibit AK as his private account with Access Bank, Aminu Kano department, Abuja.
He confirmed entries indicating money lodgments of ₦10 million every on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, however maintained that the deposits have been made by Adaudu for overseas change transactions reasonably than by him personally.
The witness additional testified that he typically handed the bought {dollars} to Adaudu at his personal workplace and, on different events, at Adaudu’s workplace in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
On transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he recognized as his firm, Abdullahi confirmed a credit score entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited via FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021.
He informed the courtroom that the switch was made by Adaudu.
He additionally recognized a ₦400 million switch via Keyless Nature Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, in addition to a number of transfers of ₦100 million every, totaling ₦600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022. He mentioned Ejadams Essence Limited belonged to Adaudu.
The witness additional recognized a switch of ₦325 million via Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, additionally attributed to Adaudu.
He maintained that the transactions have been for overseas change and that he delivered the currencies bought to Adaudu.
Continuing his testimony, Abdullahi defined how he grew to become conversant in accounts related to Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas.
He acknowledged that they have been the accounts used in making funds to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for college charges on behalf of youngsters whose fee directions and account particulars have been offered to him by Adaudu.
The witness recognized the names: Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as acquainted names related to the varsity charges transactions.
He additionally indicated that one other identify talked about to him was acquainted, though he couldn’t recollect it exactly.
According to him, he carried out the funds by transferring funds to the varsity’s account utilizing the main points provided by Adaudu.
He additionally recognized Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts evidencing funds made to AISA.
He mentioned he despatched the receipts to Adaudu as proof that the transactions had been accomplished.
When requested whether or not he obtained any grievance from Adaudu or the youngsters regarding the funds, the witness answered in the unfavourable.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the primary and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the witness mentioned he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants.
When requested in regards to the whole quantity he gave Adaudu, Abdullahi mentioned he couldn’t keep in mind the precise sum as a result of the transactions have been quite a few.
“I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he mentioned.
Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case till October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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