Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged N110.4 billion fraud, as a Bureau De Change operator told the court that transactions amounting to N1.425 billion were carried out for foreign exchange deals within two months.
The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19 (PW19), disclosed this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Abdullahi, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, said the forex transactions took place between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022, and that he delivered the foreign currencies purchased to one Abba Adaudu.
Giving a breakdown of the transactions, the witness identified several cash lodgments and transfers into accounts associated with him and his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, stating that all were for foreign exchange purposes on behalf of Adaudu.
While examining Exhibit AR, which contained transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, Abdullahi confirmed cash lodgments of N10 million each made through the Lokoja branch.
“My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of Ten, Ten million Naira by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” he told the court, explaining that the transactions were for the purchase of United States dollars.
He also identified a transfer dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu, insisting it was not a gift but for forex.
On cash lodgments dated February 22, 2022, comprising N9 million, N8 million and another N8 million recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch, the witness denied personally making the deposits.
“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 said.
He gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgments recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, maintaining he had never visited the Lokoja branch. According to him, the narration on the transactions depended on Adaudu’s instructions.
“My lord, I get to know the cash was paid on Abba Adaudu’s behalf because whenever he makes a lodgment of cash in my account, the indicating narration is Abba Adaudu or Jamilu Abdullahi or any other name of their choice,” he added, stressing that he always sent the converted forex to Adaudu.
Abdullahi identified Exhibit AK as his personal account with Access Bank, Aminu Kano branch, Abuja, and confirmed entries indicating cash lodgments of N10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, but maintained they were made by Adaudu for forex.
He told the court that he sometimes handed the purchased dollars to Adaudu at his own office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
On transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, the witness confirmed a credit entry of N100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021, which he said was made by Adaudu. He also identified a N400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited and multiple transfers of N100 million each, totaling N600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022, which he said belonged to Adaudu.
He further identified a transfer of N325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, also attributed to Adaudu.
In another twist, Abdullahi explained how accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas were used to make payments to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for school fees on behalf of children whose details were provided by Adaudu.
He identified the names Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as familiar names associated with the school fees transactions, adding that he sent telex receipts to Adaudu as proof of payment.
Under 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, and could not recall the exact total amount given to Adaudu because the transactions were numerous.
Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
