The ongoing legal proceedings involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello have brought to light significant financial transactions related to the payment of school fees for his daughters. On September 26, 2024, a witness, identified as a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, testified before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court regarding his dealings with the Kogi State government during Bello’s tenure.
The witness recounted a specific incident where he was contacted by Abba Daudu, a close associate of Bello, about a transaction involving $300,000. Despite it being a weekend, the witness drove to his office to meet Daudu and his associates. Upon their arrival, one associate stayed in the car while Daudu and another individual entered the office, carrying a black leather bag containing the cash.
The witness described how he intended to count the money but was unable to do so due to a power outage. Instead, he locked the cash in his office safe and later confirmed that the funds were meant for school fees for Yahaya Bello’s daughter, Naima Ohunene Bello. He indicated that the total payment of $300,000 was made in four installments of $75,000 each, as confirmed by Daudu.
Additionally, the witness disclosed that Aleshua Solutions Services made a payment of $42,170 for Naima’s school fees on January 24, 2022. He also identified a payment of $78,160 for another daughter, Fatima Oziohu Bello, with receipts indicating that $78,135 was paid through the same company.
The testimony is part of a broader case involving Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s nephew and current Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, who faces 18 charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to money laundering and misappropriation of over N3 billion. The case also involves other individuals, including Abba Daudu and Yakubu Adabenege, highlighting serious allegations of financial misconduct within the Kogi State government during Yahaya Bello’s administration.
