By Peace Udugba
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged money laundering trial involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, until May 6, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
Presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, fixed the new date on Friday to allow defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, to continue the cross-examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 12th prosecution witness (PW-12), Abdullahi Jamilu.
During the session, Jamilu told the court that he made a single statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022, which he relied on to refresh his memory while testifying. Under cross-examination, he stated that issues concerning Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services were not included in Exhibit 46, which contained his initial statement.
The witness also confirmed that names listed in Exhibit 13 (pages 1 to 13) were not reflected in Exhibit 46, and admitted he was not the maker of Exhibit 13.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Nwite dismissed an objection raised by the defence against the EFCC’s attempt to re-present Exhibit 46. The court ruled that the objection was speculative and misconceived.
Jamilu further recalled giving similar testimony in a related matter before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although he could not remember his exact witness number in that case, he confirmed that the defendants included Ali Bello, Abah Adaudu, Yakuba Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadi Sadat.
Additional documents were later tendered by the defence and admitted as Exhibit 47 without objection. Upon reviewing the exhibit, the witness acknowledged that the transactions he described in the earlier case were consistent with those in the current trial.
Explaining his role, Jamilu, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, said he often relied on colleagues to process dollar transfers when his own accounts could not handle such transactions directly. He added that the companies mentioned in court—Aleshua Services, Wales Oil and Gas, and Forza Oil and Gas—belonged to his colleagues.
He also testified that he received instructions from Abba Adaudu to transfer funds to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), and that all payments were successfully completed. According to him, he forwarded the telex advice (transfer receipts) to Adaudu after the transactions.
However, he noted discrepancies in Exhibit 13, stating that pages 13 and 14 were not part of the documents he originally tendered for the school fee payments.
Following the proceedings, Justice Nwite adjourned the case until May 6 and May 7, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution witness.
