BDC operator tells court how ₦1.4bn was converted to dollars for Yahaya Bello’s children’s school fees

A bureau de change operator, Jamilu Abdullahi, has told an Abuja high court that he converted approximately ₦1.4 billion into dollars to pay school fees for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s children.

According to TheCable, Abdullahi, the 19th prosecution witness, testified on Thursday that he received the funds from Bello’s associate, Abba Adaudu, between December 2021 and February 2022.

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

Abdullahi explained that the money was converted and transferred to the American International School of Abuja.

He identified several companies involved in facilitating the transactions, including Forza Oil and Gas and Alesua Solutions Services.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu over alleged criminal breach of trust involving ₦110.4 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleges that the money was diverted from Kogi State funds during Bello’s administration.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.