Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday adjourned proceedings in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to May 6 and 7, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination of the 12th prosecution witness.
The witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, told the court that he made his statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 10, 2022, and confirmed under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), that it was the only statement he submitted on the matter.
Jamilu stated that issues relating to Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas and Aleshua Services were not contained in Exhibit 46. He also noted that the names listed in Exhibit 13, pages 1 to 13, did not appear in Exhibit 46 and confirmed that he was not the author of Exhibit 13.
Earlier, Justice Nwite dismissed the defence’s objection to the EFCC’s attempt to re-present Exhibit 46, describing the objection as speculative and misconstrued.
During proceedings, the witness recalled giving similar testimony before another Federal High Court judge and acknowledged that the transactions discussed in both cases were the same. He explained that he relied on colleagues to process dollar transfers when his own accounts could not handle such transactions directly.
He further stated that the names of the companies were not included in Exhibit 46 because he was neither asked nor able to recall them at the time of making his statement.
Documents tendered by the defence were admitted as Exhibit 47 without objection. Upon reviewing the exhibit, the witness confirmed that the transactions referenced aligned with those previously discussed in court.
In his earlier testimony, led by EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Jamilu said he handed over dollar payments to a police officer identified as Ali on behalf of Abba Adaudu. He also described the companies mentioned in the case as belonging to his market associates.
According to him, instructions to make payments to the American International School were given by Adaudu, who approached him alongside a friend for the transaction. He added that the transfers were successfully completed and that telex advice (transfer receipts) were subsequently forwarded.
When asked to verify documents in Exhibit 13 (pages 1–14), the witness responded: “Yes, but I just noticed that P13 and P14 are not part of the documents I tendered as part of the payment I made for the school fees.”
He also identified the students on whose behalf the payments were made.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to May 6 and 7, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination.
