Yahaya Bello’s Trial: Forex Dealer Details ₦1.425bn Transactions, School Fee Payments in Court
A prosecution witness in the alleged ₦110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has narrated how he handled foreign exchange transactions worth ₦1.425 billion and payments for school fees on the instructions of Abba Adaudu.
The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a bureau de change operator, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that the transactions for foreign currency purchases took place between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.
Abdullahi, who appeared as the 19th prosecution witness, PW19, said he delivered the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions to Adaudu.
He gave the evidence on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh during examination by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
The witness explained that several cash deposits and transfers into his personal and business accounts were connected to foreign exchange transactions carried out for Adaudu.
While examining Exhibit AR, containing transactions recorded between July 2021 and April 2022, Abdullahi confirmed receiving deposits of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch.
He stressed that the deposits were not gifts but payments for the purchase of United States dollars.
He also identified a transfer from Keyless Limited dated January 18, 2022, which he said was connected to Adaudu and intended for foreign exchange transactions.
However, the witness denied personally making several deposits recorded against his name at the Lokoja branch.
The deposits included ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million recorded on February 22, 2022.
Abdullahi told the court that he had never visited the branch and explained that his name was used as a beneficiary in transactions conducted on behalf of Adaudu.
He maintained that the names appearing in the transaction descriptions were determined by Adaudu’s instructions.
According to him, the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes, and he consistently handed the converted currencies to Adaudu.
The witness also confirmed cash deposits of ₦10 million each into his personal Access Bank account on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022.
He identified the account as his personal account at the bank’s Aminu Kano branch in Abuja but said the deposits were made by Adaudu for foreign exchange transactions.
Abdullahi further disclosed that the purchased dollars were delivered either at his office or at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
Company Accounts Received Millions in Transfers
The witness also gave details of transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he identified as his company.
He confirmed a credit entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021, attributing the transaction to Adaudu.
He further identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, which he said was also connected to Adaudu.
In another transaction, Abdullahi told the court that Ejadams Essence Limited transferred ₦600 million to his company’s account through multiple payments of ₦100 million each on February 18, 2022.
He identified Ejadams Essence Limited as a company belonging to Adaudu.
The witness also confirmed a separate transfer of ₦325 million through the same company on February 21, 2022.
He insisted that the funds were intended for foreign exchange transactions and that he delivered the purchased currencies to Adaudu.
Witness Explains Payments to American International School
Abdullahi also testified about payments made to the American International School, Abuja, for school fees on behalf of children whose details were provided by Adaudu.
He identified accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas as being used in connection with the payments.
The witness mentioned Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as names familiar to him from the school fee transactions.
He said Adaudu provided the relevant payment instructions and account details, after which he transferred the funds to the school’s account.
Abdullahi identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4) as telexes serving as receipts for the payments and said he forwarded them to Adaudu to confirm that the transactions had been completed.
He told the court that neither Adaudu nor the children complained 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.
He admitted that he could not remember the exact amount of cash he handed over to Adaudu because of the large number of transactions.
However, he maintained that he had evidence of the payments made.
Justice Anineh subsequently adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts of alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
The allegations are before the court, and the trial is ongoing.
