Breaking: Court Postpones Trial Of Former Governor Yahaya Bello

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the new date to enable defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), continue the cross-examination of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu.

During proceedings, the witness told the court that he only made one statement to the EFCC on May 10, 2022.

Under cross-examination, he acknowledged that some transactions and company names were not reflected in Exhibit 46, which contained his initial statement. He also confirmed that he was not the author of Exhibit 13 tendered in court.

Earlier, the court dismissed the defence objection to the prosecution’s attempt to re-present Exhibit 46, ruling that the objection was speculative and misconceived.

The witness further recalled giving similar testimony in another related case before a different judge of the Federal High Court, naming several defendants involved in that matter.

Jamilu, a Bureau De Change operator, told the court he sometimes relied on colleagues to process dollar transactions when his accounts could not directly handle them.

He said payments were made to the American International School, Abuja, based on instructions from Abah Adaudu, and that receipts were later forwarded after completion of the transfers.

During the hearing, the defence tendered additional documents which were admitted as Exhibit 47 without objection. The witness confirmed that the transactions aligned with his earlier testimony, though he pointed out discrepancies in some documents presented.

He stated that certain items, including P13 and P14, were not part of the records he submitted for the school fee payments.

At the end of proceedings, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to May 6 and May 7 for continuation of cross-examination as the trial continues.