Yahaya Bello: EFCC witness tenders massive dollar payments in money laundering trial

Jamilu Abdullahi, an Abuja-based Bureau de Change (BDC) operator and third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Ali Bello, testified on Thursday, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, detailing financial transactions involving the Kogi State government under former governor Yahaya Bello.

Abdullahi recounted how former Governor Bello made multiple payments in dollars through his companies to cover the school fees of his three daughters.

Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, who currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 18 charges related to money laundering and the misappropriation of over N3 billion.

He is on trial alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Abdullahi revealed that on one occasion, Abba Daudu, the second defendant, brought $300,000 in cash for the payment of school fees for Yahaya Bello’s daughters.

“Abba Daudu called me about a transaction. Despite it being a weekend, I went to my office, and three individuals arrived. Two came inside while one stayed in the car. A friend of Daudu, carrying a black leather bag containing $300,000, introduced himself as a business partner and handed me the money,” Abdullahi testified.

He explained that he was unable to count the cash immediately due to a power outage, so he secured it in his office safe.

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According to Abdullahi, the sum was later confirmed, and four receipts, each for $75,000, were issued.

These payments covered Yahaya Bello’s daughter, Naima Ohunene Bello, for her school fees at the American International School (AIS).

Abdullahi also detailed other transactions, including a $42,170 payment made through Aleshua Solutions Services for Naima Ohunene Bello and a $78,160 payment for another daughter, Fatima Oziohu Bello.

Additionally, he identified a $44,675 payment for Naima Bello, noting that a $25 bank charge had been deducted from the total amount.

He further revealed that several large sums were transferred from Daudu’s company, Keyless Nature Limited, to his own company, Kunfayakun, and other accounts.

These transactions included multiple payments of N100 million, N400 million, N90 million, and other significant amounts between December 2021 and early 2022.

Abdullahi provided a detailed breakdown of the inflows into his accounts, including payments from Remita International and further large deposits from Keyless Nature Limited.

He also testified about additional transactions made through his companies, E-Traders International Limited and Kunfayakun, noting several cash deposits totaling hundreds of millions of naira over multiple months in 2021 and 2022.

The defense counsel, A.M. Aliyu, representing Ali Bello, requested an adjournment to allow more time to review the voluminous financial records and figures presented in the case.

Despite objections from the prosecution, Justice Egwuatu granted the request and adjourned the trial to October 25, 2024, and further hearings on November 5 and 6, 2024.

In earlier testimony on September 24, 2024, Abdullahi had identified payments of $11,000 made by Whales Oil and Gas to AIS for one of Yahaya Bello’s daughters, Zahra Bello.

He also testified about various other payments captured in the case’s exhibits, totaling significant amounts for school fees and other transactions related to the former governor’s family.

The trial continues as the court seeks to unravel the financial dealings connected to Yahaya Bello’s administration and the role of his associates in the alleged money laundering scheme.

Yahaya Bello: EFCC witness tenders massive dollar payments in money laundering trial