The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court, with the court dismissing an objection raised by the defence and allowing the prosecution to proceed.
Presiding over the case, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the objection by defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, lacked merit, describing it as “speculative and misconceived.” He noted that the provisions of Section 239 of the Evidence Act were applicable and consequently ordered the continuation of the trial.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, proceeded with the examination of the 12th prosecution witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator.
In his testimony, Abdullahi detailed his transactions with Abba Adaudu, stating that he facilitated multiple foreign exchange deals on his instructions.
He told the court that he once delivered dollars to a police officer at Fraser Suites based on Adaudu’s directive and often handed over funds through intermediaries when Adaudu was unavailable.
The witness further explained his role in processing school fees payments, noting that he sometimes relied on fellow Bureau de Change operators when he lacked sufficient dollar inflow.
According to him, funds for the payment of school fees for Zahra and Fatima Bello were provided in cash by Adaudu and an associate.
“The $300,000 used for the school fees was given to me in cash. I did not use funds from the accounts earlier mentioned in court,” Abdullahi said.
Under cross-examination, the witness confirmed that he made a single statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022, and acknowledged that while he did not personally execute all transactions, he instructed and facilitated them. The trial continues.
