The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to May 6, as proceedings stalled during the cross-examination of a key prosecution witness.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the new date on Friday after the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), was unable to conclude his questioning of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) 12th witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, following several hours of intense scrutiny.
During the hearing, Jamilu confirmed authoring a statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022, insisting it was the only one he submitted. However, he acknowledged that certain companies—Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services—were not mentioned in that statement, explaining that he neither recalled them at the time nor was asked about them.
The witness further revealed that his testimony in the current trial aligns with evidence he previously gave before another Federal High Court judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a related case involving similar transactions.
Jamilu disclosed that he relied on colleagues to facilitate dollar-denominated transfers because his personal accounts could not handle such transactions directly. According to him, these colleagues—whom he said owned the companies earlier referenced in court—assisted in processing payments, often agreeing on exchange rates when needed.
He also testified that instructions to transfer funds to the American International School in Abuja were given by one Abba Adaudu, who approached him alongside an unidentified associate. Jamilu stated that all payments were successfully executed and that he forwarded the corresponding telex advice (transfer receipts) to Adaudu.
However, under further questioning, he pointed out discrepancies in Exhibit 13 (P1–P14), noting that documents labeled P13 and P14 were not part of the receipts he originally submitted for the school fee payments.
Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Nwite dismissed an objection raised by the defence against the prosecution’s move to re-present Jamilu’s statement. The judge ruled that the objection lacked merit, describing it as speculative and misconstrued.
With cross-examination set to continue, the case remains a focal point in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
