ABUJA — The ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello took a dramatic turn on Thursday as a bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, detailed how ₦1.425 billion was funneled through various accounts for foreign exchange transactions within a two-month window.
Testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Abdullahi appeared as Prosecution Witness 19 (PW19). Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the witness revealed that the massive forex operations were executed between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022, on the instructions of Abba Adaudu.
Unraveling the Lodgments and Transfers
Abdullahi walked the court through multiple cash lodgments and bank transfers linked to his personal accounts and those of his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited. Reviewing Exhibit AR—which spans transactions from July 2021 to April 2022—the witness confirmed receiving serial cash lodgments of ₦10 million from the Lokoja bank branch.
While several deposits bore his name or were routed through his company, Abdullahi distanced himself from physically making them. He stated that he had never visited the Lokoja branch in his life, explaining that his name was simply used as a convenient beneficiary moniker based on instructions from Adaudu.
”My lord, I get to know the cash was paid on Abba Adaudu’s behalf because whenever he makes a lodgment… the indicating narration is Abba Adaudu or Jamilu Abdullahi or any other name of their choice,” Abdullahi told the court. He maintained that all converted dollar equivalents were promptly handed over to Adaudu, either at his own office or at Adaudu’s workspace in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
The financial trail also revealed heavy corporate and institutional transfers, including:
- A ₦100 million credit entry from Keyless Nature Limited (owned by Adaudu) into Kunfayakun Global Limited via FCMB.
- A separate ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, attributed to Adaudu.
- Cumulative transfers totaling ₦600 million ($100 million each) from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022.
- An additional ₦325 million transfer originating from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022.
School Fees and International Payments
Beyond bulk forex purchases, the witness exposed how corporate entities like Forza Oil, Alyeshua, and Whales Oil and Gas were utilized to channel funds for educational expenses. According to Abdullahi, these accounts were deployed to clear tuition at the American International School, Abuja (AISA) for specific children.
He identified Fatima, Zahra, and Na’ima Bello as familiar names tied to the school fee transactions. Abdullahi stated that he executed these payments by transferring funds directly to the school using routing details supplied by Adaudu, later forwarding telex receipts (Exhibits AX 10 (1–4)) as proof of successful delivery. He confirmed receiving zero complaints regarding the transactions.
Defense Cross-Examination and Adjournment
During cross-examination by the defense counsel representing the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness admitted that he had no direct financial interactions with the defendants themselves. Pressed for a cumulative total of the funds handled, Abdullahi noted that he could not immediately recall the exact aggregate sum due to the high volume of transactions, but maintained he possessed concrete evidence of handing the cash over to Adaudu.
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Following the close of Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Anineh adjourned the matter to October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
Yahaya Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.
The ongoing EFCC prosecution continues to tighten its grip as financial intermediaries expose complex networks of bureau de change cash flows, covert corporate transfers, and high-profile international school fee payments linked to the former governor’s administration.