Witness Links Cash Deals To Yahaya Bello Aide In Fraud Trial
On Thursday in Abuja, the trial of former Kogi governor Yahaya Adoza Bello continued at the Federal High Court over an alleged ₦80.2bn fraud case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the matter before Justice Emeka Nwite. A prosecution witness gave detailed evidence on financial transactions.
The case centres on alleged money laundering through multiple accounts.
The witness, a bureau de change operator, told the court that large cash deposits were made into company accounts linked to a known associate of the defendant.
He said the deposits were handled over different dates and involved several transactions.
He added that the funds were later converted into dollars. The money was then handed over to the associate.
He explained that some deposits carried different names on records but insisted he did not personally make those payments.
According to him, he dealt directly with the associate who facilitated the transactions.
He also described receiving hundreds of millions of naira in tranches for foreign exchange purposes. The exchanges were carried out based on agreed rates.
Proceedings were briefly halted after the defence raised objections over the witness’s statements. The prosecution maintained that the testimony remained consistent despite minor differences.
After hearing both sides, the court adjourned the case to April 24 for ruling and continuation of trial. The hearing is expected to resume with further arguments.
