The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday adjourned the alleged N80 billion money laundering case filed against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to May 6.
- +Yahaya Bello: EFCC N80 billion alleged fraud case adjourned to May 6
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to allow more time for Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, to continue the cross-examination of the EFCC’s 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, a Bureau de Change operator.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to allow more time for Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, to continue the cross-examination of the EFCC’s 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, a Bureau de Change operator.
The case centres on allegations that Bello and others conspired in February 2016 to convert N80,246,470,088.88 allegedly obtained through a criminal breach of trust, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
Bello has denied the charges, paving the way for a full trial.
During the witness’s examination-in-chief by EFCC lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Jamilu said he recalled giving one Ali, a police officer, some dollars on behalf of Abba Adaudu, NAN reports.
He also confirmed that the companies mentioned earlier before the court—Aleshua Services, Wales Oil and Gas, and Forza Oil and Gas—were owned by his colleagues.
Jamilu confirmed giving his initial statement to the anti-graft agency on May 10, 2022.
While being cross-examined by Bello’s lawyer, Daudu, however, he admitted that issues relating to Wales Oil and Gas, Forza, and Aleshua were not included in one of the identified exhibits before the court (Exhibit 46)—his initial statement to the EFCC.
The witness also recalled that he had given similar evidence before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, a brother judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
He confirmed that the defendants in that case were Ali Bello, Abah Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadi Sadat.
With the court’s approval, Daudu showed the witness Exhibit 47, which contained transactions.
The witness admitted that the transactions he discussed in Justice Egwuatu’s court were the same as those he referred to in this case.
He added that he asked his colleagues to help effect dollar transfer payments because his own accounts could not directly handle such transactions.
After hearing from him, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until May 6 and May 7 for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW-12.
The case against Bello has lingered for several months, marked by public confrontations between the EFCC and the former governor.
The anti-graft agency had earlier declared Bello wanted, citing difficulties in effecting his arrest.
It also accused the Kogi State Government of shielding him by invoking immunity provisions.
Eventually, Bello was arrested and arraigned, while another fraud-related case was also filed against him at the FCT High Court.
The current trial at the Federal High Court represents one of the most prominent phases of the EFCC’s case against him.
Earlier in the trial, the EFCC called Nicholas Ohehomon, a representative of the American International School (AIS), as a prosecution witness. His testimony focused on school fees paid for Bello’s children, which the EFCC alleges were proceeds of crime.
Justice Nwite overruled the EFCC’s objection, describing it as pre-emptive, and admitted the document into evidence, noting that its relevance and admissibility would ultimately be determined in the context of the facts pleaded before the court.
