A bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that he received funds totalling ₦1.425 billion for foreign exchange transactions on behalf of Abba Adaudu in 2021 and 2022.
Abdullahi, who testified as the 19th prosecution witness, PW19, in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, said he converted the funds into foreign currencies and delivered them to Adaudu.
The witness gave the testimony on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.
He explained that the transactions involved cash deposits and bank transfers through accounts associated with him and his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited.
While examining transaction records presented as exhibits, Abdullahi identified several deposits of ₦10 million each, alongside other transfers, insisting that the payments were intended for foreign exchange purchases rather than gifts.
He also identified transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu.
According to the witness, Ejadams Essence Limited transferred ₦600 million in multiple transactions of ₦100 million each on February 18, 2022. He also identified a separate transfer of ₦325 million through the company on February 21, 2022.
Abdullahi maintained that the funds were used to purchase foreign currencies, which he subsequently handed over to Adaudu.
He told the court that the deliveries sometimes took place at his office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja.
The witness also explained that some cash deposits recorded in his name at the Lokoja branch were not made by him personally, stressing that he had never visited the branch.
He said the names appearing in the transaction narrations were determined by the instructions accompanying the payments.
Beyond the foreign exchange transactions, Abdullahi testified that he facilitated payments to the American International School, Abuja, on behalf of children whose payment details were supplied to him by Adaudu.
He identified Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello among the names associated with the school fee transactions.
The witness said he transferred the funds to the school’s account and forwarded payment receipts to Adaudu as evidence of the completed transactions.
During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants.
He also told the court that he could not recall the exact total amount of cash he handed to Adaudu because of the numerous transactions involved, but maintained that he had evidence of the payments.
Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
