A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, October 15, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that transactions amounting to ₦1.425 billion were carried out for the purchase of foreign currencies between December 15 and February 21, 2022.
The witness, a bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19, said he delivered the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions to one Abba Adaudu.
Abdullahi disclosed this before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro.
Explaining the transactions, the witness identified several cash lodgments and transfers into accounts associated with him and his company, stating that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes on behalf of Adaudu.
While examining Exhibit AR, which contained transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed cash lodgments of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch of a bank (names withheld).
“My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of ten N10 million by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn’t for gift but for forex transactions,” he said.
He also explained that the transactions were for the purchase of United States dollars.
The witness also identified a transfer dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu.
He maintained that the transaction was not a gift but was equally meant for foreign exchange.
On cash lodgments dated February 22, 2022, comprising ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million, which were recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch, 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 said.
He gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgments recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, insisting that he had never visited the Lokoja branch.
According to him, the names used in the transaction narrations depended on Adaudu’s instructions.
“My lord, I got to know the cash was paid on Abba Adaudu’s behalf because whenever he made a lodgment of cash in my account, the indicating narration is Abba Adaudu or Jamilu Abdullahi or any other name of their choice,” the witness said.
He added that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes and that he consistently handed the converted currencies to Adaudu.
“I always send the converted forex to Abba Adaudu. All the transactions at the Lokoja branch were from Abba Adaudu,” he said.
Abdullahi also identified Exhibit AK as his personal account with another bank branch in Abuja.
He confirmed entries indicating cash lodgments of ₦10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, but maintained that the deposits were made by Adaudu for foreign exchange transactions rather than by him personally.
The witness further testified that he sometimes handed the purchased dollars to Adaudu at his own office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
On transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he identified as his company, Abdullahi confirmed a credit entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through a bank in Zone 4, in 2021. He told the court that the transfer was made by Adaudu.
He also identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, as well as multiple transfers of ₦100 million each, totaling ₦600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022. He said Ejadams Essence Limited belonged to Adaudu.
The witness further identified a transfer of ₦325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, also attributed to Adaudu.
He maintained that the transactions were for foreign exchange and that he delivered the currencies purchased to Adaudu.
Continuing his testimony, Abdullahi explained how he became familiar with accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas, stating that they were the accounts used in making payments to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for school fees on behalf of Yahaya Bello’s children whose payment instructions and account details were provided to him by Adaudu.
The witness identified the names: Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as familiar names associated with the school fees transactions.
He also indicated that another name mentioned to him was familiar, although he could not recall it precisely.
According to him, he carried out the payments by transferring funds to the school’s account using the details supplied by Adaudu.
He also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts evidencing payments made to AISA.
He said he sent the receipts to Adaudu as proof that the transactions had been completed.
When asked whether he received any complaint from Adaudu or the children concerning the payments, the witness answered in the negative.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants.
When asked about the total amount he gave Adaudu, Abdullahi said he could not remember the exact sum because the transactions were numerous.
Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case till October 27 and November 24 for continuation of trial.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
