A bureau de change operator has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that ₦1.425 billion was used to buy foreign currencies within about two months in the ongoing ₦110.4 billion fraud trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, gave the evidence on Thursday before Justice Maryanne Anineh in Abuja.
Abdullahi testified as the 19th prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He told the court that the transactions took place between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.
According to him, all the foreign currencies bought through the transactions were delivered to Abba Adaudu.
The witness said the money was paid into his personal and company accounts for foreign exchange transactions.
He told the court that several cash deposits of ₦10 million each made through the Lokoja branch were not gifts but payments for buying United States dollars.
“It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” Abdullahi told the court.
He also said Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited, which he linked to Adaudu, transferred hundreds of millions of naira into his accounts for the same purpose.
Abdullahi said he never visited the Lokoja branch where some of the deposits were made, even though his name appeared as the beneficiary.
He added that the converted foreign currencies were always handed over to Adaudu.
The witness also told the court that he made school fees payments to the American International School, Abuja, for children whose details were provided by Adaudu.
He said he later sent payment receipts to Adaudu and received no complaints about the transactions.
During cross-examination, Abdullahi said he had no direct dealings with Yahaya Bello or the other defendants but insisted, “I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence.”
Justice Maryanne Anineh adjourned the case to October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.