The Federal High Court has adjourned the ongoing money laundering trial involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, until May 6 for continuation of proceedings.
The decision was delivered on Friday by Emeka Nwite, who granted the adjournment to allow defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, to continue cross-examining a prosecution witness.
The witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, is the 12th prosecution witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During cross-examination, Jamilu confirmed that he made a single statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022, which he relied on during his testimony to refresh his memory.
He admitted that certain entities, including Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services, were not mentioned in that initial statement.
The witness also acknowledged that some names referenced in another document tendered in court were not included in his earlier statement, and clarified that he was not the author of one of the exhibits presented.
Earlier in the session, Justice Nwite overruled an objection raised by the defence against the re-admission of the witness’s statement, describing the objection as unfounded.
Jamilu further told the court that he had previously testified in a related case before another judge of the same court, involving different defendants.
He confirmed that the financial transactions discussed in that earlier case were similar to those currently under review.
According to the witness, he relied on colleagues to process certain foreign exchange transactions because his own accounts could not handle them directly.
He explained that the companies mentioned during proceedings belonged to associates within his business network.
The court also heard that funds were transferred to the American International School Abuja (AISA) based on instructions allegedly received from one of the defendants.
Jamilu stated that he completed the transactions and forwarded payment confirmations to the individual who initiated them.
He, however, noted discrepancies in some documents presented, stating that certain pages did not form part of the records he originally submitted.
Following the proceedings, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to May 6 and May 7 for continuation of the witness’s cross-examination..
