null

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the ongoing money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to May 6. This decision comes as the defense, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, seeks to continue its cross-examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) twelfth prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu.

During the proceedings, Jamilu reiterated his earlier statement to the EFCC, made on May 10, 2022, which he used to refresh his memory. Under cross-examination, he confirmed that this was the sole statement he provided to the commission regarding the matter. However, he admitted that certain details concerning Wales Oil and Gas, Forza, and Aleshua were not included in Exhibit 46, nor were the names mentioned in Exhibit 13, pages 1 to 13. He also confirmed he was not the maker of Exhibit 13.

Justice Emeka Nwite had previously dismissed the defense's objection to the EFCC's attempt to re-present Exhibit 46, deeming the objection speculative and misconstrued. The witness recalled giving similar evidence before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, another judge at the Federal High Court, Abuja. While he could not recall his exact witness number in that previous case, he confirmed the defendants were Ali Bello, Abah Adaudu, Yakuba Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadi Sadat.

The court admitted further documents as Exhibit 47 without objection. Jamilu acknowledged that the transactions discussed in Justice Egwuatu's court were similar to those in the current case. He explained that he enlisted colleagues to assist with dollar transfer payments due to limitations with his own accounts. As a BDC operator, he stated that the companies—Aleshua Services, Wales Oil and Gas, and Forza Oil and Gas—belonged to his market colleagues, and he contacted them when his dollar inflow was insufficient for transfers, agreeing on a rate. He also recalled instructions from Adaudu to pay the American International School Abuja (AISA).