The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted further proceedings in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to May 6 for continued cross-examination of the prosecution’s 12th witness, Abdullahi Jamilu.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the new date after defence counsel was unable to complete the cross-examination of the witness during Friday’s sitting, despite spending several hours questioning him.
During the hearing, Jamilu was shown a statement he previously made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he acknowledged drafting on May 10, 2022.
While being cross-examined by defence lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness stated that he had only provided one written statement to the EFCC.
He further confirmed that references to Wales Oil and Gas, Forza, and Aleshua were absent from the statement.
Jamilu also told the court that he had previously testified before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a related matter.
When shown another document by the defence, he admitted that the transactions he referenced in his earlier testimony before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the same court were identical to those being discussed in the current case.
The witness explained that he sought assistance from colleagues to facilitate dollar transfers because his personal accounts were not capable of handling such transactions directly.
He added that the companies mentioned—Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services—did not appear in Exhibit 46, his written statement, because he was neither asked about them nor could he recall them at the time.
According to him, the businesses were owned by some of his colleagues in the market.
Jamilu further told the court that whenever he lacked sufficient dollar inflows for transfers, he usually reached out to his associates to agree on exchange rates.
He also testified that the instruction to remit funds to the American International School in Abuja came from Abba Adaudu, who allegedly visited him alongside a friend to facilitate the transaction.
