On Tuesday, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and third prosecution witness in Ali Bello’s trial, confirmed in the Federal High Court in Abuja that agents of the Kogi State Government had brought funds to him intended for the payment of school fees for the daughters of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Ali Bello, the nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, is currently on trial for alleged involvement in an N80.2 billion fraud case.
During cross-examination by Bello’s lawyer, A.M. Aliyu, SAN, Abdullahi testified that the cash received was exchanged into dollar equivalents in tranches. “I made it clear that cash was brought to my office for payment of the school fees,” he stated.
An attempt by the defense to present a WhatsApp conversation between Abdullahi and the second defendant, Abba Adaudu, as evidence was contested by the prosecution’s counsel, Abbas Mohammed, who argued that the court had not seen this document. In response, the defense requested an adjournment to allow time to provide the prosecution with a copy of the chat.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu approved the request, scheduling the trial to continue on November 6, 2024.
Ali Bello, along with co-defendants Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 18 counts related to money laundering and misappropriation of over N3 billion.
In a related matter, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede confirmed earlier reports that Yahaya Bello withdrew $720,000 from state funds to pay his child’s tuition in advance. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Olukoyede explained that Bello had moved the funds to a Bureau de Change operator before leaving office, describing the transfer of such a substantial amount from Kogi State’s limited resources as highly concerning.