Witness Links Dollar Conversions, Cash Deposits To Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello’s Associate In ₦80.2bn Fraud Trial

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on alleged ₦80.2billion fraud charges continued on Thursday, April 23, 2026, before Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

This was as a prosecution witness provided a detailed testimony on a series of cash transactions, dollar conversions, and alleged links to a close associate of the defendant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello on a charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦80,246,470,088.88.

The anti-graft agency alleges that the funds were laundered through multiple accounts and entities, including companies allegedly linked to associates of the former governor.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution called Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, as Prosecution Witness 12 (PW12).

While being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, Abdullahi narrated how substantial cash deposits were made into accounts belonging to E-Traders International Limited by one Abba Adaudu on several occasions.

“Yes, my lord, there are more cash deposit transactions on different days into E-Traders International Limited,” the witness stated, confirming that the deposits extended beyond earlier identified transactions already before the court.

Referring to Exhibit 33(6), Abdullahi acknowledged that cash inflows were recorded on March 10 and 11, 2022, but drew the court’s attention to inconsistencies in the names listed as depositors on the transaction documents.

“My lord, I need to explain that the names indicated in the cash deposits—Abdullahi Jamilu, Jamil Abdullahi, and Jamilu Abdullahi—were used as narration. However, I was not the one who made the cash deposits at the Lokoja branch,” he clarified.

The witness maintained that despite the discrepancies in names, he had direct dealings with Abba Adaudu, whom he identified as the individual responsible for making several of the deposits, including transactions dated October 8 and 11, 2021.

“Abba Adaudu, my lord. In all these transactions, I dealt with Abba Adaudu,” he said.

Abdullahi further told the court that upon receiving the cash lodgments, he converted the naira sums into United States dollars based on agreed exchange rates and handed the foreign currency over to Adaudu.

“I converted them into US dollars and handed them over to Abba Adaudu,” he testified.

While examining Exhibit 37 relating to Kunfayakun Global Limited—his company—the witness confirmed receiving ₦100 million and ₦400 million on December 15 and 17, 2021, respectively, from a firm identified as Keyless Nature Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu.

“The transfers were for dollar purchase. Upon receipt, we agreed on the rate, I converted the funds and handed the dollars over to Abba Adaudu,” he explained.

Providing further breakdown of transactions, Abdullahi disclosed that on February 18, 2022, he received ₦600 million in six tranches into the account of Ejadams Essence Limited, another entity allegedly linked to Adaudu, for the purpose of sourcing dollars. He also confirmed receiving an additional ₦325 million via RTGS on February 21, 2022, for similar foreign exchange transactions.

According to him, the physical handover of the converted dollars typically took place either at his office or at Adaudu’s office located in Area 8, Abuja, suggesting a consistent pattern in the execution of the transactions.

“What I can recall is that he always comes to my office to pick up the dollars, my lord,” he said.

Proceedings were, however, briefly stalled following an objection raised by defence counsel, J. B. Daudu, who argued that the prosecution was attempting to impeach its own witness without first declaring him hostile.

“If the witness wants to contradict himself, he should be declared a hostile witness,” Daudu submitted.

In response, Pinheiro insisted that the witness had remained consistent in his testimony, arguing that any minor discrepancies were attributable to the passage of time and did not amount to contradictions in law.

“The witness was very unequivocal and unambiguous… His statement reflects his recollection of transactions that occurred about five years ago,” he argued, citing relevant provisions of the Evidence Act.

After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till April 24, 2026, for ruling on the objection and continuation of trial.