A bureau de change operator has told an Abuja High Court that he converted about ₦1.4 billion into dollars to pay the school fees of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s children at the American International School of Abuja.
Jamilu Abdullahi, the 19th prosecution witness in Bello’s ongoing ₦110.4 billion fraud trial, gave the testimony on Thursday.
He said he received the funds from Abba Adaudu, an associate of the former governor, between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.
Abdullahi told the court that the money was provided for foreign exchange transactions and that the transfers to the school were completed successfully.
He identified several companies and accounts allegedly used to facilitate the payments, including Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Alesua Solutions Services, E-Traders International Limited, Kun-Faya-Kun and De-Remita International Limited.
The witness also identified a transfer made on January 18, 2022, through Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu.
However, during cross-examination, Abdullahi maintained that he had no direct financial dealings with Bello or his co-defendants.
He also denied personally making three cash deposits of ₦9 million, ₦8 million and ₦8 million recorded in his name at a bank branch in Lokoja.
Earlier in the trial, an internal auditor at the American International School of Abuja confirmed that Bello’s children were enrolled at the institution.
The auditor presented documents indicating that payments were made through a United States bank. He also told the court that Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew, signed an agreement covering the children’s school fees until graduation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the payments formed part of ₦110.4 billion diverted from Kogi State funds during Bello’s tenure as governor, from January 2016 to January 2024.
Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts of criminal breach of trust.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court adjourned the case until October 27 for continuation of the trial.
