Alleged ₦110.4bn kogi Fraud: Witness Says ₦1.425bn Was Used for Forex Transactions in Two Months

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has told the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that transactions amounting to ₦1.425 billion were carried out for the purchase of foreign currencies between December 15 and February 21, 2022.
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The witness, a bureau de change operator Jamilu Abdullahi, who testified as Prosecution Witness 19, PW19, said he delivered the foreign currencies purchased through the transactions to Abba Adaudu.

Abdullahi disclosed this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

Explaining the transactions, the witness identified several cash lodgments and transfers into accounts associated with him and his company, stating that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes on behalf of Adaudu.

While examining Exhibit AR, which contained transactions between July 2021 and April 2022, the witness confirmed cash lodgments of ₦10 million each made by Adaudu through the Lokoja branch. “My lord, I confirm the cash lodgments of Ten, Ten million Naira by Abba Adaudu from the Lokoja branch. My lord, I confirm I received the cash lodgments. It wasn’t for gift but for a forex transaction,” he said. He explained that the transactions were for the purchase of United States dollars.

The witness also identified a transfer dated January 18, 2022, from Keyless Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu. He maintained that the transaction was not a gift but was equally meant for foreign exchange. On cash lodgments dated February 22, 2022, comprising ₦9 million, ₦8 million and another ₦8 million, which were recorded in his name through the Lokoja branch, Abdullahi denied personally making the deposits. “In fact, I have never been to that branch in my life, but my name has been used as a beneficiary as any other person’s name can be used as the receiver, and it was a dollar transaction for Abba Adaudu,” he said.

He gave a similar explanation for multiple cash lodgments recorded against his name on March 10 and 11, 2022, insisting that he had never visited the Lokoja branch. According to him, the names used in the transaction narrations depended on Adaudu’s instructions. “My lord, I get to know the cash was paid on Abba Adaudu’s behalf because whenever he makes a lodgment of cash in my account, the indicating narration is Abba Adaudu or Jamilu Abdullahi or any other name of their choice,” the witness said.

He added that the transactions were carried out for foreign exchange purposes and that he consistently handed the converted currencies to Adaudu. “My lord, I always send the converted forex to Abba Adaudu. All the transactions at the Lokoja were from Abba Adaudu,” he said.

Abdullahi also identified Exhibit AK as his personal account with Access Bank, Aminu Kano branch, Abuja. He confirmed entries indicating cash lodgments of ₦10 million each on December 29 and 30, 2021, and January 1 and 31, 2022, but maintained that the deposits were made by Adaudu for foreign exchange transactions rather than by him personally.

The witness further testified that he sometimes handed the purchased dollars to Adaudu at his own office and, on other occasions, at Adaudu’s office in Area 8, Garki, Abuja. On transactions involving Kunfayakun Global Limited, which he identified as his company, Abdullahi confirmed a credit entry of ₦100 million from Keyless Nature Limited through FCMB, Zone 4, in 2021. He told the court that the transfer was made by Adaudu.

He also identified a ₦400 million transfer through Keyless Nature Limited, which he attributed to Adaudu, as well as multiple transfers of ₦100 million each, totaling ₦600 million, from Ejadams Essence Limited on February 18, 2022. He said Ejadams Essence Limited belonged to Adaudu.

The witness further identified a transfer of ₦325 million through Ejadams Essence Limited on February 21, 2022, also attributed to Adaudu. He maintained that the transactions were for foreign exchange and that he delivered the currencies purchased to Adaudu.

Continuing his testimony, Abdullahi explained how he became familiar with accounts associated with Forza Oil, Alyeshua and Whales Oil and Gas, stating that they were the accounts used in making payments to the American International School, Abuja (AISA), for school fees on behalf of children whose payment instructions and account details were provided to him by Adaudu.

The witness identified the names: Fatima Bello, Zahra Bello and Na’ima Bello as familiar names associated with the school fees transactions. He also indicated that another name mentioned to him was familiar, although he could not recall it precisely. According to him, he carried out the payments by transferring funds to the school’s account using the details supplied by Adaudu.

He also identified Exhibits AX 10 (1–4), described as telexes, as receipts evidencing payments made to AISA. He said he sent the receipts to Adaudu as proof that the transactions had been completed. When asked whether he received any complaint from Adaudu or the children concerning the payments, the witness answered in the negative.

Yahaya Bello

Under cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, the witness said he had no direct dealings with any of the defendants. When asked about the total amount he gave Adaudu, Abdullahi said he could not remember the exact sum because the transactions were numerous. “I gave Abba Adaudu the cash and I have evidence,” he said.

Following the testimony, Justice Anineh adjourned the case until October 27 and November 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on 16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion.
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Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Trial to December 8 as New Counsel Takes Over Case in Alleged ₦8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and six others over alleged corruption and money laundering involving an ₦8.68 billion Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance contract to December 8, 2026, following changes in the legal teams representing the prosecution and the first defendant.
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The matter, instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), came up before Honourable Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, where the newly appointed prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Muktar, announced his appearance and informed the court of a change in the prosecution team.

Muktar consequently sought an adjournment to enable him to study the case file, review previous proceedings, and familiarise himself with the issues before the court to ensure effective prosecution of the matter.

Similarly, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, who announced his appearance as the new counsel to the first defendant, Mallam El-Rufai, requested time to acquaint himself with the case, having recently taken over the defence from the former counsel.
After considering the submissions of both counsel, the presiding judge granted their requests and adjourned the substantive trial to December 8, 2026, for hearing.

Meanwhile, the court also considered the pending bail application filed by the second defendant, Mr Jimi Adebisi Lawal, a former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the former governor. The presiding judge adjourned the application to October 16, 2026, for ruling.

It would be recalled that the ICPC had, on June 25, 2026, arraigned the former governor, his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Mr. Jimi Adebisi Lawal, and five corporate entities before the same court on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering, and related offences.

The charge, marked FHC/KD/93C/2026, names El-Rufai as the first defendant, alongside Lawal, Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

El-Rufai, ICPC

The allegations centre on the award of a CCTV surveillance contract for Kaduna Metropolis, valued at approximately ₦8.68 billion, during El-Rufai’s administration. The Commission alleged, among other things, that the contract was awarded in violation of applicable public procurement requirements and involved a company that lacked the requisite experience and qualifications.

The defendants have denied the allegations, which remain subject to judicial determination.

The Commission remains committed to pursuing the matter in accordance with due process, the rule of law, and the constitutional rights of all parties involved.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC
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Umahi Inaugurates Members of ODDG, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)

The Honourable Minister of Works and Deputy Director General (DDG), Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has formally inaugurated members of the Office of the DDG, as part of efforts to strengthen infrastructure-related communication, mobilisation and public sensitisation for the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign.
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Speaking at the Inaugural Meeting on Thursday, 15 October, 2026 in Abuja, Umahi described the occasion as an opportunity to foster collaboration, mutual understanding, and effective working relationships among members, as they pursue their assigned responsibilities.

He urged members to approach their duties with a shared sense of purpose, commitment, and cooperation, emphasising the importance of coordinated engagement in communicating infrastructure-related developments and their impact on Nigerians.

The DDG explained that the team’s primary responsibility was to identify, document, compile, and publicise infrastructure projects the Federal Government is executing across Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He noted that, although the Federal Ministry of Works accounts for a significant proportion of the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments, the team’s coverage should extend to other MDAs to ensure a comprehensive account of infrastructure development across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Consequently, Umahi charged the Senior Special Assistants to the President (SSA-P) on Community Engagement for the six (6) geopolitical zones, appointed as Zonal Coordinators, other members of the ODDG, alongside the Secretary, to work collaboratively to identify and document relevant infrastructure projects within their respective zones.

He emphasised that the compilation should cover projects executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, as well as infrastructure initiatives undertaken by other MDAs. This is to provide a comprehensive overview of infrastructure investments and the developmental strides of the Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, across the length and breadth of the country.

The Minister further clarified that existing publicity efforts by the Ministry and the Senior Special Assistants would continue, while the ODDG would provide a broader framework for coordinating information on infrastructure projects undertaken by other MDAs at the sub-national, zonal and national levels.

He reiterated that effective communication and documentation would help ensure that information on infrastructure projects was properly presented and made accessible to the general public.

Engr. Umahi also underscored the importance of infrastructure development as a driver of economic growth, national development and community integration. According to him, “infrastructure investment stimulates economic activities, connects communities, creates opportunities and supports the growth of other sectors of the economy.”

Highlighting the significance of the Federal Government’s continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology, he explained that its adoption in road construction was helping to reduce dependence on imported bitumen, while encouraging the use of locally available resources and expertise. He noted that this construction method supports local economic activities, reduces foreign exchange demand associated with imported road construction materials, and promotes more sustainable infrastructure delivery that guarantees durability.

Umahi

The DDG charged members of the ODDG to demonstrate diligence, professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility in carrying out their assignments. He stressed that effective communication and public sensitisation were essential to ensuring that information on infrastructure projects was accurately compiled and effectively disseminated.

The Inauguration marks a first major step towards strengthening coordination, infrastructure-related communication, mobilisation, and public sensitisation within the Office of the Deputy Director General, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Information and Public Relations.
15 October, 2026.
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