A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that ₦1.425 billion was used for foreign exchange transactions between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.
The witness, a bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, testified as Prosecution Witness 19 (PW19) before Justice Maryanne Anineh on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
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Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Abdullahi said the transactions involved the purchase of foreign currencies, which he subsequently delivered to Abba Adaudu.
While examining Exhibit AR, containing transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed receiving 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, explaining that the funds were used to purchase United States dollars.
Abdullahi also identified a January 18, 2022, transfer from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu, insisting that the transaction was equally intended for foreign exchange.
Regarding cash lodgments of ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch on February 22, 2022, the witness denied personally making the deposits.
He maintained that he had never visited the branch, explaining that his name or those of other individuals could be used as beneficiaries in transactions conducted on Adaudu’s behalf.
The witness gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgments recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, saying the names used in transaction narrations depended on Adaudu’s instructions.
Abdullahi further identified entries in his personal Access Bank account at the Aminu Kano branch in Abuja, including cash lodgments of ₦10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022. He maintained that the deposits were made by Adaudu for foreign exchange transactions.
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He told the court that he sometimes delivered the purchased dollars to Adaudu at his own office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
The witness also identified transactions involving his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, including a ₦100 million credit from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB in 2021, which he attributed to Adaudu.
He further 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 said the companies involved belonged to Adaudu.
Abdullahi also identified a ₦325 million transfer through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, maintaining that the transactions were for foreign exchange and that he delivered the purchased currencies to Adaudu.
Continuing his testimony, the witness explained his familiarity with accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas, which he said were used to pay school fees to the American International School, Abuja, on behalf of children whose payment instructions were provided by Adaudu.
He identified Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as names associated with the school fee transactions, adding that he transferred the funds to the school’s account using details supplied by Adaudu.
The witness also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts for the school fee payments. He said he forwarded the receipts to Adaudu as evidence that the transactions had been completed and confirmed that he received no complaints about 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 handed to Adaudu, Abdullahi said he could not recall the exact figure because of the numerous transactions, but maintained that he had evidence of the payments.
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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 16 counts bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.