Davidson Ogbebor

ABUJA — A bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that transactions totalling ₦1.425 billion were conducted for foreign exchange purchases between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022, in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Abdullahi, who testified as the 19th prosecution witness (PW19), said he delivered the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions to Abba Adaudu, whom he identified as the person on whose behalf the transactions were conducted.

The witness 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, containing transactions recorded between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed several cash lodgments of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch. He told the court that the deposits were not gifts but payments for foreign exchange transactions involving the purchase of United States dollars.

Abdullahi also identified a January 18, 2022, transfer from Keyless Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, maintaining that the funds were intended for foreign exchange purchases.

However, when questioned about cash lodgments of ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million recorded against his name on February 22, 2022, the witness denied personally making the deposits. He said he had never visited the Lokoja branch and explained that his name, alongside other names, could be used as the beneficiary of transactions conducted on Adaudu’s instructions.

He gave a similar explanation for transactions recorded on March 10 and 11, 2022, insisting that the names appearing in the transaction narrations depended on the instructions provided by Adaudu. According to him, the transactions were carried out on Adaudu’s behalf, and the converted foreign currencies were subsequently delivered to him.

The witness also identified Exhibit AK as his personal account with Access Bank at the Aminu Kano branch in Abuja. He confirmed cash lodgments of ₦10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, but said 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 his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, the witness confirmed a credit of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021, which he attributed to Adaudu. He also identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited and multiple transfers of ₦100 million each, totalling ₦600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022.

He further identified a transfer of ₦325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022. Abdullahi said the transactions were for foreign exchange purchases and maintained that the currencies were delivered to Adaudu.

The witness also gave evidence concerning payments made to the American International School of Abuja (AISA). He said accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas were used to make school-fee payments based on instructions and account details supplied by Adaudu.

Abdullahi identified Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as names familiar to him in connection with the school-fee transactions. He said he transferred the funds to the school’s account and forwarded the transaction receipts to Adaudu as evidence of payment.

He also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as documents evidencing the payments. Asked whether he received any complaints from Adaudu or the children regarding the transactions, he answered in the negative.

During cross-examination by Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, counsel to the first and second defendants, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants. He also told the court that he could not recall the exact total amount of cash he had given Adaudu because of the numerous transactions involved.

“I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he said.

Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the matter until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the 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 allegations remain before the court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.