Bello’s trial: BDC operator links N1.425bn forex transactions to aide

A bureau de change operator has told an Abuja court that N1.425bn was used to purchase foreign currencies in transactions linked to Abba Adaudu over a two-month period in 2021 and 2022.

Jamilu Abdullahi, a prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, said the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes and that he delivered the converted currencies to Adaudu.

Abdullahi, who testified as the 19th prosecution witness, gave the evidence on Thursday before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the witness identified cash deposits and transfers into accounts linked to him and his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he said were made on Adaudu’s behalf to purchase dollars.

Examining transaction records covering July 2021 to April 2022, Abdullahi confirmed receiving cash lodgments of N10m each through the Lokoja branch, saying the payments were not gifts but funds for foreign exchange transactions.

He also identified several deposits recorded in his name in Lokoja but denied making them personally, insisting that he had never visited the branch.

“In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary as any other person’s name can be used as the receiver, and it was a dollar transaction for Abba Adaudu,” he told the court.

The witness said the names appearing in transaction narrations depended on the instructions provided by Adaudu, adding that he consistently handed the purchased foreign currencies to him.

“My lord, I always send the converted forex to Abba Adaudu. All the transactions at the Lokoja were from Abba Adaudu,” he said.

Abdullahi also identified transfers involving Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu. The transactions included a N100m credit, a N400m transfer, multiple transfers totalling N600m on February 18, 2022, and another N325m transfer on February 21, 2022.

He said the funds were used for foreign exchange transactions and that the converted currencies were delivered to Adaudu.

The witness further testified that he facilitated payments to the American International School, Abuja, using account details and instructions supplied by Adaudu. He identified receipts for the payments and said he forwarded them to Adaudu as evidence of completed transactions.

The school-fee transactions involved names including Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello.

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. He also said he could not recall the exact total amount of cash he gave Adaudu because the transactions were numerous.

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

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4bn.

Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.