How I changed Naira to Dollars for Yahaya Bello’s daughters’ school fees – BDC operator

Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and the third prosecution witness in the trial of Ali Bello, testified on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

IDOMA VOICE reports that Abdullahi confirmed receiving funds from agents of the Kogi State Government, intended to cover school fees for the daughters of former governor Yahaya Bello.

During cross-examination by defense counsel A.M. Aliyu SAN, Abdullahi clarified that each payment was exchanged for its cash dollar equivalent. “It was cash that was brought to my office for the payment of the school fees,” he said.

The defense attempted to introduce a WhatsApp conversation between Abdullahi and the second defendant, Abba Adaudu, as evidence. However, prosecution counsel Abbas Mohammed objected, noting that the document had not been submitted to the court.

In response, the defense requested an adjournment to allow time to present the chat records to the prosecution.

Justice Egwuatu granted the request, adjourning the trial to November 6, 2024, for continuation.

Ali Bello, a cousin of Yahaya Bello, faces charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside co-defendants Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. The four defendants are charged with 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation, totaling over N3 billion.