AN Abuja-based Bureau de Change (BDC) operator and third Prosecution Witness (PW 3) in the trial of Ali Bello, a nephew of embattled former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, September 26, recounted financial transactions between him and the Kogi State government under former governor, Yahaya Bello.
Jamilu Abdullahi told a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, how the former governor repeatedly paid school fees of his three daughters in United States (US) dollars through him and his companies.
Ali Bello, the current Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, is facing 18-count charge of money laundering and misappropriation, to the tune of over N3billion, alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Adabenege and Iyada Sadat brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The PW3, led in evidence by the prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said in one of the occasions, Daudu, the second defendant, brought $300,000 in cash to him for the payment of Bello’s daughters’ school fees.
He recalled: “Abba Daudu called me to say that they have a transaction. Though it was on the weekend, but I drove down to the office and waited for them to come. Upon their arrival, three of them came. One of them stayed in the car with the driver, two of them walked to my office and a friend of Abba Daudu was holding black leather bag containing $300,000.
“Upon entering, he greeted and Abba Daudu introduced him as his friend and business partner, saying he has a transaction. He dropped $300,000 in cash. I wanted to count the dollars before they left, but I could not due to the power outage.
“I told him I cannot use my hands and needed to confirm that it was $300,000, so I locked the dollars in my office safe and two of them left.
“Then Abba Daudu’s friend said when I confirmed the sum, details will be forwarded to me for payment. However, the sum of $300,000 attracts some service charges, which he said I should calculate and let Abba Daudu know.
“After I completed the transfer, I forwarded four receipts indicating $75,000 four times to Abba Daudu and he confirmed to me that the payment was confirmed successfully.”
When asked by the prosecution counsel if he knew anything regarding the transactions on Exhibit D, Pages 50, 52 and 53, he replied: “Yes, I know the transactions of $75,000, being paid to the school four times totalling, the sum of $300,000, as forwarded by Abba Daudu, and further confirmed that the fees was paid for one of Yahaya Bello’s daughters.
“And the name of the recipient is Naima Ohunene Bello.”
Abdullahi told the court that another payment of the fees was done by a company, Aleshua Solutions Services, which paid the sum of $42,170 for Naima Ohunene Bello, adding: “It was paid on behalf of the student, Naima Ohunene Bello, for school fees, based on the instruction and as forwarded by Abba Daudu, and the date is 24th January, 2022.”
He identified the sum of $78,160 as payment for school fees through Aleshua Solutions Services in respect of another Yahaya Bello’s daughter, Fatima Oziohu Bello, as shown on page 7 of the Exhibit D, noting: “Based on the receipt before me, I am seeing acknowledgement of $78,135 being paid for Fatima Bello and on the Aleshua Solutions Services.”
He also identified a transaction of $44,675, also for Naima Bello, as indicated on page One of Exhibit D, saying: “I have seen it on the receipt of the payment. Forty-four thousand, seven hundred dollars, ($44,700) was paid to the school, but due to internal charges from the bank, $25 dollars was deducted, making the total balance of $44,675.00.”
He identified the beneficiary school as American International School (AIS).
Regarding transactions from Daudu’s company, Keyless Nature Limited, to his own Kunfayakun company’s account on December 15 and 17, 2021, Abdullahi said: “I received the sum of N100million on the 15th December 2021 from Keyless Nature. On the 17th December, 2021, I received N400million. Meanwhile, on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd, December 2021, I received N100million. On the 22nd December 2021, I received the sum of N100million only. On the 23rd December 2021, I received N3 million.
“I also received payment from Remita International in the sum of N40million on 12th December, 2021, and there was an entry of N33million on the 17th of December 2021. On the 7th February 2022, I confirmed the receipt of N90million from Keyless Nature.”
Counsel to Ali Bello, who is first defendant, Mr. A.M. Aliyu, asked for adjournment to enable him study and have a full grasp of the massive facts and figures involved to enable him cross-examine the witness.
Counsel to the second, third and fourth defendants, Mr. Nurain Jimoh, aligned with him, while the prosecution Counsel objected to the adjournment, saying PW 3 has been in the dock since February 6, last year.
“I believe the cross-examination of PW 3 should begin. If there are other grounds, however, the application can be sustained. If not, I urge your lordship to turn it down.”
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until October 25, 2024, November 5 and 6, 2024 for continuation of trial.
