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Yahaya Bello’s Trial: Witness Reveals Details Of ₦1.425bn Transfers Linked To Ex-Governor’s Associate.

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An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that ₦1.425 billion transferred through two companies linked to Abba Adaudu, an associate of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, was intended for foreign exchange transactions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

amilu Abdullahi, a forex dealer, disclosed this on Thursday while testifying as the 19th prosecution witness in Bello’s ongoing trial before Justice M. E. Anenih.

Abdullahi told the court that Adaudu paid the money to purchase foreign currency and that he supplied the corresponding amount in US dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate.

Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion. The defendants have not been convicted, and the allegations remain before the court.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, alongside Olukayode Enitan, SAN, and Bolu Agbaje, SAN, the witness identified Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited as companies belonging to Adaudu.

According to Abdullahi, ₦100 million was transferred through Keyless Nature Limited on December 15, 2021, followed by additional transactions totalling ₦400 million on December 17 of the same year.

He further testified that ₦600 million was transferred through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022, while another ₦325 million passed through the company on February 21, 2022.

The witness said the transactions carried out between December 2021 and February 2022 amounted to ₦1.425 billion.

He explained that whenever the money was paid into his accounts through cash deposits or electronic transfers, he supplied Adaudu with the equivalent value in US dollars.

Abdullahi added that the currency exchanges were usually conducted either at his office or at Adaudu’s office. He said Adaudu typically contacted him before or after making cash deposits to inform him that the funds were meant for foreign exchange dealings.

The forex dealer also testified about the bank accounts of E-Traders Limited, one of his companies. He identified Exhibit AR as the company’s statement of account with the Mararaba branch of First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

He told the court that cash deposits made into the account at Access Bank’s Lokoja branch between July 2021 and April 2022 were connected to Adaudu.

Although some transaction descriptions bore his name, Abdullahi said he did not personally make the deposits, explaining that he had never visited the Access Bank branch in Lokoja.

He gave a similar explanation regarding deposits dated February 22 and transactions recorded on March 10 and 11, 2022.

The witness also identified Exhibit AK, another account statement, and attributed several cash deposits made on December 29 and 30, 2021, as well as January 31 and February 1, 2022, to Adaudu or individuals acting on his behalf.

He maintained that the transactions were related to foreign exchange dealings.

Witness Makes Admission During Cross-Examination

During cross-examination, however, Abdullahi admitted that he could not establish whether any of the defendants personally made the cash deposits because he was not present at the bank when the transactions occurred.

He also confirmed that the names of the first and second defendants did not appear in E-Traders Limited’s account statement as depositors.

The witness further disclosed that he was the sole signatory to the account.

Despite these admissions, Abdullahi maintained that the transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited were forex dealings associated with Adaudu.

He said he could not remember the total amount of foreign currency he supplied to Adaudu but explained that he usually provided the equivalent value of the transactions, either in cash or, occasionally, through bank transfers.

According to him, payments made in cash were delivered in foreign currency.

Witness Testifies On School Fees Payments

Abdullahi also gave evidence concerning payments made towards the school fees of children attending the American International School.

He told the court that Adaudu supplied the account details and names of the beneficiaries for the transactions.

The children were identified as Fatima Bello, Zarrah Bello, Zayan Bello, Farid Bello and Na’ima Bello.

The witness said he arranged the payments through colleagues rather than carrying them out personally. He added that neither Adaudu nor the children’s parents complained about the transactions.

He identified Exhibit AX10(1–4) as telex documents issued by the American International School in connection with the payments.

According to Abdullahi, he forwarded the documents to Adaudu for confirmation after the transactions had been completed.

During cross-examination, the forex dealer admitted that he did not know the parents of the children whose school fees he helped to pay. He also confirmed that he did not personally execute the payments but relied on colleagues to handle the transactions.

The witness further disclosed that he operated another company known as De Remita.

He told the court that the statements he made to the EFCC in 2022 contained details and illustrations of the transactions with Adaudu that he could recall at the time. He also confirmed that he had not made any further statement to the commission since then.

Court Adjourns Trial

Earlier in the proceedings, a lawyer informed the court that an application had been filed seeking the withdrawal of the surety of the third defendant.

The lawyer said all parties had been served with the application, but it was not yet ready for hearing.

Counsel representing the third defendant confirmed receipt of the application and requested time to prepare a response.

Pinheiro suggested that the application be heard on the next adjourned date to prevent disruptions to the ongoing trial.

The court subsequently proceeded with the hearing.

However, after defence counsel indicated that the witness was tired, Justice Anenih adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.

Bello and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to ₦110.4 billion.

The court has yet to determine the allegations against them.

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2027 Election: APC Unveils Nationwide Campaign Rally Timetable For Tinubu.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its nationwide campaign rally timetable, outlining planned activities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the schedule published by the party on X on Thursday, Kaduna State will host the official campaign flag-off on October 24, 2026, with President Bola Tinubu expected to attend.

The campaign activities will continue in November, beginning with a rally in Calabar on November 2. Other scheduled locations include Gombe on November 3, Ado-Ekiti on November 5 and Port Harcourt on November 7.

The APC has also listed Abakaliki for November 9, Akure for November 11, Benin City for November 12, Jos for November 14, Damaturu for November 16, Birnin Kebbi for November 17, Uyo for November 18, Awka for November 19 and Ibadan for November 21.

Further rallies are scheduled to take place in Maiduguri on November 25, Enugu on November 28, Bauchi on November 29 and Makurdi on November 30.

APC Releases December Campaign Timetable

The party’s campaign activities will continue into December, with Katsina scheduled for December 2, Abeokuta for December 3, Lafia for December 4, Sokoto for December 5, Umuahia for December 7 and Lokoja for December 8.

According to the timetable, the APC will move to Osogbo on December 9, while rallies in Ilorin and Dutse are scheduled for December 10.

Other locations include Asaba on December 12, Gusau on December 14, Yenagoa on December 15 and Minna on December 16.

The schedule further lists Kano for December 17, Jalingo for December 19 and Abuja for December 21.

Owerri is expected to host the final rally listed on the timetable on December 30.

The nationwide campaign schedule forms part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the party planning rallies across the country ahead of the polls.

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2027 Election: Showunmi Backs Tinubu, Reveals Why He Believes President Is Wiser Than Rivals.

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has described President Bola Tinubu as far wiser than opposition presidential candidates, including African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Showunmi made the remarks while reacting to public criticism of Tinubu’s comments at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where the President suggested he might not attend every campaign rally.

Tinubu’s statement sparked reactions across the country, with some critics raising questions about his health and ability to participate fully in the 2027 presidential campaign.

However, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Showunmi expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat his opponents in the January 16, 2027, presidential election, regardless of whether he attends campaign rallies.

According to the PDP chieftain, the President’s absence from some campaign events would not undermine his chances of securing re-election.

“That guy called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a thousand years wiser than them, and I guarantee you he’s going to defeat them again,” Showunmi said.

He added that opposition figures could still see Tinubu on television or visit the Presidential Villa if they wished to see him.

“So if he doesn’t come for the rally, better luck next time. They can look at him on television. If they don’t like him on TV, they can go to Aso Rock. If they don’t meet him in Aso Rock, they can meet him where he’s trying to meet Akara,” he stated.

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Tinubu, arguing that the President cannot ask Nigerians to grant him another four-year term while relying on governors, ministers and political defectors to defend the hardships experienced under his administration over the past three and a half years.

Atiku’s position was conveyed in a statement issued to Naija News by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

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EFCC, NJI Move To Tackle Delays In Corruption Cases With Proposed Legal Reforms.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have called for legal and procedural reforms aimed at accelerating corruption trials, preventing the abuse of court processes and improving the prosecution of financial crimes in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The recommendation was contained in a communiqué released at the conclusion of the 8th Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held in Abuja from October 13 to 15, 2026.

The three-day workshop, organised by the EFCC in partnership with the NJI, brought together judges, investigators and prosecutors to examine the challenges associated with investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes in an increasingly digital environment.

Participants recommended the appointment of specialised judges and court officials to handle corruption cases. They also called for targeted training to promote the effective and consistent application of existing laws.

The communiqué further proposed reviewing relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act where necessary, emphasising the importance of balancing individual rights with the need for timely justice.

Participants urged investigative and prosecutorial agencies to strengthen their investigative procedures and improve the management of digital evidence to ensure that cases are supported by credible, reliable and legally admissible material.

They also recommended video recording and other safeguards during the taking of confessional statements to protect suspects’ rights and maintain the integrity of investigations.

EFCC, NJI Push For Improved Asset Recovery Measures

On asset recovery, participants described non-conviction-based asset forfeiture as “an effective tool for recovery of stolen assets”.

However, they stressed that the mechanism must be applied in accordance with established legal procedures, respect human rights and remain subject to effective institutional oversight.

The workshop also called for procedural changes that would permit extensions of time for freezing assets suspected to be proceeds of financial crimes.

In addition, participants urged anti-corruption agencies, the National Assembly and the Judiciary to develop clear guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in the administration of justice.

They highlighted the need for increased investment in digital forensic laboratories, technological infrastructure and specialised training to strengthen the capacity of institutions handling financial crime cases.

Call For Training On Digital Assets And Emerging Technologies

The communiqué urged judicial officers and law enforcement personnel to familiarise themselves with existing legislation governing virtual assets, including the Investment and Securities Act 2025 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022.

Participants also encouraged the NJI and the National Judicial Council to introduce accredited certification programmes for judges and other stakeholders in the justice sector.

The workshop concluded by emphasising the need for stronger collaboration among institutions across the justice system to improve the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

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