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 Bello, alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat, are facing trial on an 18-count charge of money laundering and misappropriation involving over N3 billion.
Abdullahi appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the federal high court in Abuja to provide evidence. According to Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the EFCC, Abdullahi received “$300,000” in cash from Daudu for the payment of school fees for the former Kogi governor’s children.
The BDC operator stated that the money was transferred to his companies’ accounts—Kunfayakun and E-Traders International Limited—on multiple occasions for school fees payments. Abdullahi said the funds were eventually paid into the account of the “American International School (AIS).”
Abdullahi described how he received the “$300,000” in cash, which was delivered to his office in a black leather bag by a friend of Abba Daudu. Due to a power outage, he was unable to count the money at that moment, but later confirmed the sum and forwarded receipts of “$75,000,” four times, to Daudu.
The payments, according to Abdullahi, were for the school fees of one of Yahaya Bello’s daughters, “Naima Ohunene Bello.”
Abdullahi also testified that he received money in installments from the former Kogi governor, including sums of “N100 million,” “N400 million,” “N35 million,” and “N90 million” on various dates in December 2021 and February 2022.
After the witness’ testimony, A.M Aliyu, counsel for Ali Bello, requested an adjournment to review the figures presented. The court, presided over by Justice Egwuatu, adjourned the trial to “October 25, 2024,” as well as “November 5 and 6, 2024,” for continuation.
