Witness Tells Court of ₦1.425bn Forex Transactions in Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial

Witness Tells Court of ₦1.425bn Forex Transactions in Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that foreign exchange transactions totalling ₦1.425 billion were conducted between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.

The witness, a Bureau de Change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19 (PW19), said the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions were delivered to Abba Adaudu.

Abdullahi gave the testimony on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

While examining Exhibit AR, which contained transactions recorded between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed several cash lodgements and transfers into accounts associated with him and his company. He said the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes on behalf of Adaudu.

Abdullahi confirmed cash lodgements of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch, explaining that the payments were not gifts but funds for purchasing United States dollars.

He also identified a transfer dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu and was intended for foreign exchange transactions.

However, when questioned about cash lodgements of ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch on February 22, 2022, Abdullahi denied personally making the deposits.

He told the court that he had never visited the branch and explained that his name or other names could appear as beneficiaries in transactions conducted on Adaudu’s behalf.

The witness gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgements recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, maintaining that the transactions were connected to Adaudu’s foreign exchange dealings.

According to Abdullahi, the names appearing in transaction narrations depended on the instructions provided by Adaudu. He added that he consistently delivered the converted foreign currencies to him.

The witness also identified Exhibit AK as his personal Access Bank account at the Aminu Kano branch in Abuja. He confirmed cash lodgements 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.

Abdullahi told the court that he sometimes delivered the purchased dollars 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, the witness confirmed a credit entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021. He attributed the transfer to Adaudu.

He also identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, as well as transfers totalling ₦600 million from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022. He said the company belonged to Adaudu.

The witness further identified a transfer of ₦325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, which he also linked to Adaudu. He maintained that the funds were used for foreign exchange transactions and that he delivered the corresponding currencies to Adaudu.

Abdullahi also testified about payments made to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for school fees on behalf of children. He said accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas were used for the payments, based on instructions and account details supplied by Adaudu.

He identified Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as names familiar to him in connection with the school-fee transactions.

The witness also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts for payments made to the school. He said the receipts were sent to Adaudu as evidence that the transactions had been completed. He told the court that he received no complaints from Adaudu or the children concerning the payments.

During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants. Asked about the total amount he gave Adaudu, he said he could not recall the exact figure because of the numerous transactions, but maintained that he had evidence of the payments.

Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.

The charges remain allegations to be determined by the court.

Witness Tells Court of ₦1.425bn Forex Transactions in Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Trial