Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Links Cash Deposits, Dollar Conversions to Yahaya Bello’s Associate

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Thursday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness detailing how large cash deposits were converted into dollars and handed to a key associate.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Mr Bello on allegations of money laundering totalling ₦80,246,470,088.88.

Testifying as Prosecution Witness 12 (PW12), Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, told the court that multiple cash lodgments were made on different dates into the account of E-Traders International Limited by one Abba Adaudu.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, Mr Abdullahi confirmed that the deposits extended beyond earlier identified transactions.

“Yes, my lord, there are more cash deposit transactions on different days into E-Traders International Limited,” he said.

Referring to Exhibit 33(6), the witness acknowledged cash inflows on 10 and 11 March 2022, but clarified discrepancies in the names of depositors listed in the transaction records.

“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 said.

Mr Abdullahi identified Mr Adaudu as the depositor in transactions dated 8 and 11 October 2021, maintaining that all dealings were conducted directly with him.

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

He further told the court that upon receiving the cash, he converted the naira sums into United States dollars and handed them over to Mr Adaudu.

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

While examining Exhibit 37, relating to Kunfayakun Global Limited—his company—the witness said he received ₦100 million and ₦400 million on 15 and 17 December 2021 respectively from Keyless Nature Limited, which he identified as belonging to Mr 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 said.

He also testified that on 18 February 2022, he received ₦600 million in six tranches into the account of Ejadams Essence Limited, also allegedly linked to Mr Adaudu, for the purpose of purchasing dollars. In addition, he confirmed receiving ₦325 million via RTGS on 21 February 2022 for the same purpose.

According to him, the physical handover of the dollars typically took place either at his office or at Mr Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Abuja.

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

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

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

In response, Mr Pinheiro maintained that the witness had remained consistent, arguing that any perceived inconsistencies reflected the challenge of recalling events that occurred several years ago.

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

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