The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday heard testimony on how large cash deposits allegedly linked to Yahaya Bello were converted into United States dollars and handed to an associate.

Testifying as the 12th prosecution witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a bureau de change (BDC) operator, gave evidence in the ongoing trial over an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, Abdullahi told the court that multiple cash deposits were made into the account of E-Traders International Limited on various dates.

He said the deposits were made by Abba Adaudu, with whom he had direct dealings during the transactions, adding that although his name appeared in different forms on some transaction records, he did not personally make the deposits.

“The names reflected were used as narration, but I did not make the deposits at the Lokoja branch,” he said.

According to the witness, upon receiving the funds, he converted the naira into U.S. dollars and handed the cash to Adaudu. He noted that the transactions took place across several dates, including October 2021 and March 2022.

Abdullahi further testified that his company, Kunfayakun Global Limited, received N100 million and N400 million in December 2021 from Keyless Nature Limited, which he linked to Adaudu, stating that the funds were meant for dollar purchases and were subsequently delivered.

He also told the court that in February 2022, he received N600 million in tranches, alongside an additional N325 million transferred via RTGS into accounts associated with the transactions, all for the same purpose.

The witness added that the dollars were handed over either at his office or at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Abuja.

“What I can recall is that he usually comes to my office to collect the dollars,” he said.

Proceedings were briefly stalled when defence counsel, J. B. Daudu, raised an objection, arguing that the prosecution was attempting to contradict its own witness without declaring him hostile.

“If the witness intends to contradict himself, he should be declared hostile,” he argued.

However, Pinheiro maintained that the witness had remained consistent, attributing any perceived discrepancies to the passage of time.

Presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, subsequently adjourned the case to April 24 for ruling on the objection and continuation of the trial.