ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Proceedings in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Friday stalled as the Federal High Court adjourned the case to May 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
Trial judge, Emeka Nwite, fixed the new dates after hearing from the 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, whose testimony exposed fresh gaps and inconsistencies in documentary evidence presented before the court.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed that several critical details including transactions involving Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services were not captured in his original statement (Exhibit 46).
He also admitted that: “He made only one statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on May 10, 2022. He was not the maker of another key document, Exhibit 13. Some names and transactions referenced in court were missing from earlier records”.
Despite objections from the defence, the court allowed the EFCC to re-present Exhibit 46, with Justice Nwite ruling that the challenge was “speculative and misconstrued.”
In his testimony, the witness said he facilitated dollar transactions on behalf of one Abba Adaudu, including payments to the American International School.
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He told the court: “Whenever I did not have enough inflow of dollars, I contacted colleagues and agreed on a rate.”
He further disclosed that he handed over cash in dollars to a police officer identified simply as Ali, acting on instructions tied to the transactions.
Jamilu also confirmed forwarding telex advice (transfer receipts) after completing the payments, though he later noticed discrepancies in some of the documents presented in court.
The witness acknowledged that he had previously testified before another Federal High Court judge and admitted that the transactions discussed in both proceedings were essentially the same.
He, however, struggled to recall specific details, including his witness number in the earlier case.
With cross-examination still ongoing and key clarifications unresolved, Justice Nwite adjourned proceedings to allow both parties continue their arguments.
The case, which centres on alleged money laundering involving multiple defendants, remains one of the high-profile corruption trials being prosecuted by the EFCC.