Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
ABUJA – The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, resumed on Thursday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness giving a detailed account of how huge naira lodgments were converted into United States dollars and handed over to a close associate of the embattled ex-governor.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88.
The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and the 12th Prosecution Witness (PW12), testified that he received multiple cash deposits from one Abba Adaudu, which he thereafter converted into foreign currency.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, Abdullahi told the court that cash deposits were made on various dates into the account of E-Traders International Limited by Adaudu.
“Yes, my lord, there are more cash deposit transactions on different days into E-Traders International Limited,” the witness said when asked to confirm whether the payments extended beyond previously identified dates.
Referring to Exhibit 33(6), Abdullahi confirmed cash inflows on March 10 and 11, 2022, but pointed out discrepancies in the names recorded as depositors.
“My lord, I need to explain that the names indicated in the cash deposits—Abdullahi Jamilu, Jamil Abdullahi, and Jamilu Abdullahi—were used as narration. However, I was not the one who made the cash deposits at the Lokoja branch,” he said.
The witness identified Abba Adaudu as the true depositor in transactions dated October 8 and 11, 2021, insisting that all his dealings were conducted directly with him.
“Abba Adaudu, my lord. In all these transactions, I dealt with Abba Adaudu,” Abdullahi stated.
He further disclosed that upon receiving the naira sums, he converted them into dollars and handed the cash over to Adaudu.
Examining Exhibit 37, relating to his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, the witness confirmed receiving ₦100 million and ₦400 million on December 15 and 17, 2021 respectively, from Keyless Nature Limited, a firm he said belonged to Adaudu.
“The transfers were for dollar purchase. Upon receipt, we agreed on the rate, I converted the funds and handed the dollars over to Abba Adaudu,” he explained.
The witness also testified that on February 18, 2022, he received ₦600 million in six tranches into the account of Ejadams Essence Limited, another company allegedly linked to Adaudu, for the purpose of buying dollars. He added that he received an additional ₦325 million on February 21, 2022, via RTGS for the same purpose.
According to Abdullahi, the physical handover of the dollars always took place either at his office or at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Abuja.
“What I can recall is that he always comes to my office to pick up the dollars, my lord,” he said.
The proceedings were momentarily disrupted after an objection from defence counsel, J. B. Daudu SAN, who argued that the prosecution was attempting to contradict its own witness without first declaring him hostile.
“If the witness wants to contradict himself, he should be declared a hostile witness,” Daudu submitted.
In response, prosecuting counsel Pinheiro maintained that Abdullahi had been consistent, adding that his recollection of events spanning several years could not be interpreted as contradiction.
“The witness was very unequivocal and unambiguous… His statement reflects his recollection of transactions that occurred about five years ago,” Pinheiro argued, citing relevant provisions of the Evidence Act.
After listening to both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Friday, April 24, 2026, for a ruling on the objection and continuation of the trial.
