Alleged N3b Fraud: BDC Operator Claims He Exchanged Naira for Dollars for Yahaya Bello

Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and the third prosecution witness in the trial of Ali Bello, testified on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Abdullahi confirmed that funds were brought to him by agents of the Kogi State Government for the payment of school fees for the daughters of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

During cross-examination by Ali Bello’s defense counsel, A.M. Aliyu SAN, Abdullahi confirmed that the transactions involved exchanging cash for the dollar equivalent for each tranche. “I made it clear that it was cash that was brought to my office for payment of the school fees,” he stated.

In an attempt to introduce a WhatsApp conversation between the witness and the second defendant, Abba Adaudu, as evidence, the defense was met with an objection from the prosecution. Counsel Abbas Mohammed argued that the copy of the WhatsApp conversation was not previously disclosed to the court. As a result, the defense requested an adjournment to provide the prosecution with the WhatsApp chat.

Justice Egwuatu granted the request, adjourning the trial to November 6, 2024, for further proceedings.

Ali Bello, a cousin of Yahaya Bello, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. They are charged with 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation involving over N3 billion.