Jamilu Abdullahi, a bureau de change (BDC) operator in
Abuja, has testified in the ongoing trial of Ali Bello, a nephew of Yahaya
Bello, former governor of Kogi state.
Ali alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat
are facing trial on 18-count charge of money laundering and misappropriation to
the tune of over N3 billion.
Abdullahi appeared before Obiora Egwuatu, a judge at the
federal high court in Abuja, to give his evidence on Thursday.
In a statement after the trial, Dele Oyewale, EFCC
spokesperson, said Abdullahi received $300,000 in cash from Daudu for the
payment of the school fees for the former Kogi governor’s children.
The BDC operator said money was transferred to his
companies’ accounts — Kunfayakun and E-Traders International Limited — on
several occasions for the payment of school fees.
Abdullah said he paid the money into the account of American
International School (AIS), according to the statement.
“Abba Daudu called me to say that they have a transaction
though it was on the weekend, but I drove down to the office and waited for
them to come. Upon their arrival, three of them came,” Abdullahi was quoted as
saying.
”One of them stayed in the car with the driver, two of them
walked to my office, and a friend of Abba Daudu was holding a black leather bag
containing $300,000.
“Upon entering, he greeted, and Abba Daudu introduced him as
his friend and business partner, saying he had a transaction. He dropped
$300,000 in cash. I wanted to count the dollars before they left, but I could
not due to the power outage.
“I told him I could not use my hands and needed to confirm
that it was $300,000, so I locked the dollars in my office safe, and two of
them left. Then, Abba Daudu’s friend said when I confirmed the sum, details would
be forwarded to me for payment. However, the sum of $300,000 attracts some
service charges which he said I should calculate and let Abba Daudu know.
“After I completed
the transfer, I forwarded four receipts, indicating $75,000 four times to Abba
Daudu, and he confirmed to me that the payment was confirmed successfully.”
“Yes, I know the
transactions of $75,000, being paid to the school four times totalling, the sum
of $300,000 as forwarded by Abba Daudu and further confirmed that the fees were
paid for one of Yahaya Bello’s daughters and the name of the recipient is Naima
Ohunene Bello.”
Oyewale said the BDC operator also narrated how he received
money, in installments, from the former Kogi governor.
“I received the sum of N100 million on the 15th December
2021 from Keyless Nature. On the 17th December, 2021, I received N400 million.
“Meanwhile on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, December 2021, I
received N100 million. On the 22nd December 2021, I received the sum of N100
million only. On the 23rd December 2021, I received N35 million.
“I also received
payment from Remita International in the sum of N40 million on 12th December,
2021, and there was an entry of N33 million on the 17th of December 2021. On
the 7th February 2022, I confirmed the receipt of N90 million from Keyless
Nature.”
After the witness’ testimony, A.M Aliyu, counsel to Ali, did
not conduct his cross examination but asked the court for an adjournment to
enable him to understand the figures reeled out.
Nurain Jimoh, counsel to the second, third, and fourth
defendants, supported the request of Aliyu.
However, Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution counsel, objected
to the adjournment on the account that the witness had been in the dock since
February 6, 2023.
Egwuatu adjourned the matter to October 25, 2024, and
November 5 and 6, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
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