A Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024,testified in the Federal High Court in Abuja, affirming that he received cash from agents of the Kogi State Government. Abdullahi, the third prosecution witness in the trial of Ali Bello, alleged that the funds were meant for the payment of school fees for the daughters of Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State governor.
Under cross-examination by Ali Bello’s lawyer, A.M. Aliyu SAN, Abdullahi explained that cash was brought to his office in exchange for the dollar equivalent, which he then provided. “I made it clear that it was cash that was brought to my office for payment of the school fees,” Abdullahi stated.
An attempt by the defense to introduce a WhatsApp conversation between Abdullahi and Abba Adaudu, the second defendant, as evidence was challenged by prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed. He argued that the court had not received this document. The defense requested an adjournment to provide the WhatsApp chat as evidence, which was granted by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who adjourned the case until November 6, 2024.
Ali Bello, a cousin of Yahaya Bello, stands trial alongside Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. The defendants face 18 charges related to money laundering and misappropriation of over N3 billion, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
