A bureau de change operator has told an Abuja High Court that he converted about N1.4 billion received from Abba Adaudu, an associate of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, into dollars to pay the school fees of Bello’s children at the American International School of Abuja (AISA).

Jamilu Abdullahi, the 19th prosecution witness in Bello’s ongoing N110.4 billion fraud trial, gave the testimony on Thursday, explaining that the transactions were carried out between December 15, 2021, and February 21, 2022.

Abdullahi said he received the funds for foreign exchange transactions and subsequently facilitated transfers to the school using the account details provided to him.

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

He added that the transfers were successfully completed into AISA’s account to settle the school fees of the beneficiaries.

The witness explained that his colleagues engaged him to facilitate the payments because he did not have funds in his offshore account. He identified Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, and Alesua Solutions Services as companies associated with the transactions.

He also confirmed receiving funds through accounts linked to E-Traders International Limited, Kun-Faya-Kun and De-Remita International Limited for foreign exchange transactions.

Abdullahi identified a January 18, 2022, transfer from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu, insisting that the payment was for foreign exchange and not a gift. He also identified telex documents showing transfers to the school and said he sent copies to Adaudu.

During cross-examination by Abdullahi Yahaya, counsel to Bello, the witness said he had no direct financial dealings with the former governor or the other defendants in the case.

He also denied personally making three cash deposits of N9 million, N8 million and N8 million recorded in his name at a bank branch in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“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.

The witness further stated that he could not recall whether E-Traders International Limited was licensed to trade in foreign exchange. He also said he could not remember the exact foreign currency equivalent of the funds because the transactions were numerous.

“I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he added.

Earlier, Nicholas Okehone, an internal auditor at AISA, testified that Bello’s children—Zahra Fatima, Na’ima, Nana Fatima Bello and Farid Bello—were enrolled at the school. He tendered telex documents showing payments from TD Bank in the United States for prepaid school fees.

Okehone also told the court that Ali Bello, the former governor’s nephew and chief of staff to the incumbent Kogi State governor, signed an agreement for the payment of the children’s school fees until graduation. The agreement also covered future students, including Zayyan Ali Bello.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16 counts of criminal breach of trust. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that N110.4 billion in Kogi State funds was diverted during Bello’s tenure as governor, which lasted from January 2016 to January 2024.

The commission further alleged that part of the funds was used to acquire properties in highbrow areas of Abuja and pay the school fees of Bello’s children.

The trial was adjourned until October 27.