• The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned Yahaya Bello’s alleged money laundering trial to May 6 and 7, 2026
• Justice Emeka Nwite granted the adjournment to enable defence counsel to conclude cross-examination of EFCC witness PW-12
• The court will resume proceedings with continued cross-examination of the EFCC witness

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to May 6, 2026, for further proceedings.

The presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, adjourned the case to allow defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, to complete the cross-examination of the 12th prosecution witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdullahi Jamilu.

During the session, Jamilu stated that he made only one statement to the EFCC regarding the matter, noting that it was given on May 10, 2022. He explained that the statement was presented in court to “refresh his memory.”

Under cross-examination, the witness acknowledged that issues concerning Wales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, and Aleshua Services were not included in Exhibit 46. He further admitted that the names listed in Exhibit 13 (Pages 1 to 13) were also absent from Exhibit 46.

Jamilu confirmed that he was not responsible for preparing Exhibit 13.

Earlier, Justice Nwite had dismissed an objection raised by the defence against the EFCC’s attempt to re-present Exhibit 46, describing the objection as speculative and misconstrued.

The witness also revealed that he had previously given similar testimony before another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Obiora Egwuatu.

Although he could not recall his exact witness number in that case, he confirmed that the defendants included Ali Bello, Abah Adaudu, Yakuba Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadi Sadat.

Additional documents tendered by the prosecution were admitted as Exhibit 47 without objection.

After reviewing the exhibit, Jamilu acknowledged that the transactions discussed in the earlier case were the same as those presented in the current trial.

Explaining his role, the Bureau de Change operator said he relied on colleagues to facilitate dollar transfers when his accounts could not process such transactions directly.

He added that the companies mentioned, Aleshua Services, Wales Oil and Gas, and Forza Oil and Gas, belonged to his associates in the market.

Jamilu further testified that he once handed over dollars to a police officer named Ali on behalf of Abba Adaudu.

He also disclosed that Adaudu instructed him to make payments to the American International School Abuja (AISA), noting that Adaudu arrived with a friend whose name he could not recall.

According to him, all transfers to AISA were completed successfully, after which he sent the telex advice (transfer receipts) to Adaudu.

When asked to verify documents in Exhibit 13 (Pages 1 to 14), he responded: “Yes, but I just noticed that P13 and P14 are not part of the documents I tendered as part of the payment I made for the school fees.”

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to May 6 and May 7, 2026, for the continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution witness.

Court adjourns El-Rufai bail hearing to June amid legal dispute

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Kaduna State High Court had adjourned the bail hearing of former governor Nasir El-Rufai to the first week of June 2026, prolonging proceedings in a case that has drawn significant political and public attention.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Darius Khobo announced the new date following court proceedings in which the former governor is facing multiple charges bordering on alleged financial crimes and abuse of office. The charges were brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).