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Yahaya Bello Fraud Trial: BDC Operator Reveals How N1.425bn Was Used To Pay Bello Children’s School Fees At AISA
A bureau de change operator has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja how N1.425 billion was allegedly converted to US dollars within two months in the ongoing N110.4 billion fraud trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19 (PW19), said he carried out the foreign exchange transactions between December 15, 2021 and February 21, 2022 on behalf of one Abba Adaudu.
Abdullahi disclosed this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
According to him, the dollars purchased from the transactions were delivered to Adaudu, who allegedly gave instructions on how the cash lodgments were made.
While examining Exhibit AR, which covered transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the BDC operator confirmed several N10 million cash lodgments made through Lokoja branch allegedly by Adaudu.
“My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of Ten million Naira by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” he told the court.
He said though his name appeared as beneficiary in some deposits, he never visited the Lokoja branch.
“In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary,” he said.
The witness also linked the case to payments for Yahaya Bello’s children at the American International School, Abuja (AISA).
He said accounts of Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas were used to pay school fees for Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello based on instructions from Adaudu.
He identified telex receipts from AISA as proof of the payments, saying he forwarded them to Adaudu.
Under cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness admitted he had no direct dealings with Yahaya Bello or the other defendants.
“I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he said, adding that he could not remember total amount given because transactions were numerous.Justice Anineh adjourned the case to October 27 and November 24, 2026 for continuation of trial.
Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.
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