BDC operator reveals role in paying for Yahaya Bello's children's school fees

A bureau de change operator spoke on Thursday about his role in paying the dollar school fees for the children of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Jamilu Abdullahi testified at the FCT High Court in Abuja during Mr Bello’s corruption trial. He said he received about N1.4 billion over two months from Abba Adaudu, a close associate of the former governor, to buy foreign exchange.

Mr Abdullahi, the 19th witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he got money through his accounts from Mr Adaudu between 15 December 2021 and 21 February 2022. This was during Mr Bello’s time in office, and the funds were meant to purchase US dollars.

“My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” he said.

He explained that he used the dollars bought with money from Mr Adaudu to pay for Mr Bello’s children at the American International School of Abuja (AISA).

“I carried out the transactions upon receiving the school fees from Abba Adaudu to transfer to AISA. The names and the account details for the school were provided for the transfers, and it was completed successfully to AISA’s account,” the witness said.

The EFCC believes this amount is part of N110.4 billion that Mr Bello and his co-defendants, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, allegedly took from Kogi State while he was governor from January 2016 to January 2024.

The three are facing 16 counts of criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion allegedly misused from Kogi State’s treasury.

The EFCC claims that part of the funds was used to buy properties in expensive areas of Abuja. They also accuse Mr Bello, who is running for the Kogi Central Senatorial District seat in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress, of using part of the stolen money to pay his children's school fees in advance.

Mr Bello and his co-defendants have denied all the allegations against them. In March, Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor with AISA, confirmed that Mr Bello’s children, Zahra Fatima, Na’ima, Nana Fatima Bello, and Farid Bello, were enrolled in the school.

Mr Okehone confirmed that their school fees were paid upfront until graduation. He provided proof of these payments from TD Bank in the US. Mr Okehone said Ali Bello, a nephew of Mr Bello and chief of staff to the current Kogi State governor, signed the agreement for prepaid school fees until graduation “for the family of Bello and for future students to be enrolled: Zayyan Ali Bello.”

He also detailed the dollar payments for the children made by Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Solutions.

Mr Abdullahi, who started his testimony in June before the court went on break, said he knows Forza Oil and Gas Limited, Whales Oil and Gas, and Alesua Solutions Services. On Thursday, he confirmed these were the companies his colleagues used to pay school fees for the Bello children.

When asked by EFCC’s lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), if the former governor’s children were Fatima, Zahra, Naima, and Zayyan, the witness said, “The names sound familiar and were used for payment of school fees to AISA.”

He mentioned that his colleagues paid the school fees through him because he did not have money in his offshore account. Mr Abdullahi identified the telexes in court, explaining that he sent them to Mr Adaudu.

He confirmed receiving money from Mr Adaudu for forex transactions through his companies’ accounts: E-traders International Limited, Kun-Faya-Kun, and De-Remita International Limited. He said Mr Adaudu deposited cash into his accounts from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, using his name, Jamilu Abdullahi.

The witness, who has already appeared in a related trial at the Federal High Court where Mr Bello faces N80.2 billion money laundering charges, suggested Mr Adaudu is a close associate of the former governor. In his Thursday testimony, he identified a transfer dated 18 January 2022 from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Mr Adaudu.

He insisted the transaction was not a gift but was meant for foreign exchange. He spoke about cash lodgments dated 22 February 2022, which included N9 million, N8 million, and another N8 million, recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch. Mr Abdullahi denied making those deposits personally.

“In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary as any other person’s name can be used as the receiver, and it was a dollar transaction for Abba Adaudu,” he said.

During cross-examination by Mr Bello’s lawyer Abdullahi Yahaya, a SAN, the witness said he did not deal “directly” with Mr Bello and his co-defendants. He noted their names were not connected to any cash lodgments into his accounts.

When asked if his company E-traders is licensed for forex trading, the witness said he could not recall. He was asked about the total amount of foreign currencies he gave to Mr Adaudu but said he could not remember the exact sum due to the number of transactions. He, however, added, “I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence.”

The trial judge, Maryann Anenih, adjourned the case until 27 October.